AFCON 2027: Key Takeaways for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania After CAF High-Profile Meeting in Kampala

The roadmap for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 has been officially set in motion following a high-profile meeting in Kampala, Uganda.

Ministers and football officials from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania met with CAF leadership to solidify the vision ahead of the August inspection.

Acting CAF General Secretary Samson Adamu and CAF senior administration from various functional areas were among the CAF delegation in the meeting. The meeting focused on infrastructure, regional unity, and the revolutionary PAMOJA Visa.

The meeting served as a formal reaffirmation of the partnership as the leaders emphasised that this tournament is not only about football but also regional identity.

CAF has set a strict timeline for the host nations, identifying mid-2026 as the point of no return for facility readiness.

requirements"The Ministers reaffirmed their Governments’ commitment to ensure all facilities meet the required CAF Requirements within the agreed timelines and endorsed an accelerated delivery roadmap, with August 2026 identified as a key milestone review point for readiness progress," a statement from the three ministers read.

The discussions went beyond stadium grass, touching on the entire ecosystem required to host a world-class event, including medical and transport networks.

"On hospitality and visitor experience, the three countries committed to jointly position East Africa as a welcoming and competitive destination capable of delivering an exceptional fan experience," the statement noted.

"Emphasis was placed on hotel readiness, tourism, medical preparedness, security coordination, transport efficiency, and warm regional hospitality that reflects the spirit of PAMOJA."

Perhaps the most significant policy outcome of the meeting was the progress toward a unified travel framework to allow fans and stakeholders to move across borders without friction.

"The three Ministers agreed to hold periodic consultative meetings to finalise and operationalise the proposed PAMOJA Visa Framework, intended to facilitate seamless travel across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania during the tournament period," the statement added.

"The framework shall further consider special entry arrangements, visa exemptions, expedited clearances, and harmonised customs and immigration facilitation."

To ensure the project stays on track, a new oversight body has been established to harmonise decision-making across the three capitals.

"The meeting further deliberated on the governance structure of the PAMOJA Oversight Council and agreed on a coordination framework that guarantees efficiency, accountability, and seamless decision-making across the three countries. This structure shall comprise representations from CAF, the three host Ministers, Presidents of the Member Associations and Chairpersons of the LOCs," the statement added.

CAF has reiterated its dedication to supporting the host countries in establishing robust coordination and ensuring operational readiness across all aspects of tournament delivery.