By KPC Sports Reporter
Kenya has fulfilled a key financial requirement in its bid to successfully co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, after remitting a $30 million (Sh3.9 billion) hosting fee to the Confederation of African Football.
In a statement released Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya confirmed that the government has now met all financial and institutional obligations required by CAF ahead of the continental tournament.
“I am pleased to announce that the Government of Kenya has fully met its financial and institutional obligations to the Confederation of African Football as we steadily advance towards co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations,” Mvurya said .
He noted that the remittance of the $30 million hosting fee underscores Kenya’s “credibility, readiness, and unwavering commitment to delivering a successful continental tournament”.
Beyond the financial milestone, the government has also restructured the Local Organizing Committee into a multi-agency team incorporating both public and private sector players.
The move, Mvurya said, is aimed at strengthening institutional capacity to match the scale and complexity of hosting the tournament.
“This multi-sectoral approach is deliberate, ensuring that our institutional capacity is fully aligned with the scale, complexity, and urgency of preparations required to host a tournament of AFCON’s magnitude,” he stated.
Kenya will now move to fast-track infrastructure and operational requirements following a recent CAF inspection report.
These include upgrading and constructing match venues, training facilities, transport and logistics systems, as well as enhancing safety, security, and broadcast standards.
“This is a routine but critical process in the hosting cycle, and Kenya is addressing each recommendation with precision, urgency, and accountability,” Mvurya said .
The CS linked the milestone to President William Ruto’s broader vision of positioning Kenya as a global sporting hub.
“This milestone reflects the firm commitment of the President to position Kenya as a premier destination for global sporting events and leverage sports as a catalyst for economic growth, youth empowerment, job creation, and international prestige,” he added .
Kenya is co-hosting the tournament under the Pamoja AFCON bid alongside regional partners, with joint preparations expected to intensify in the coming months.
Mvurya revealed that the partner states will soon convene to establish a harmonized framework to ease cross-border movement.
The framework will include visa facilitation mechanisms for teams, officials, and fans, as well as coordinated tax exemptions, customs facilitation measures, and streamlined clearance procedures for goods and services related to the tournament.
“As the Pamoja AFCON co-hosting countries, we remain fully committed to delivering a world-class AFCON 2027 that will not only meet but exceed continental and global expectations,” Mvurya said .
The 2027 tournament is expected to be one of the biggest sporting events ever hosted in the region, with Kenya banking on the event to boost infrastructure, tourism, and economic growth.