Kenya has beaten the deadline of paying the hosting fee for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, which they will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania next year.
Kenya was at risk of being dropped as one of the co-hosts for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) if they failed to pay the mandatory US$30 million (roughly Ksh 3.9 billion) hosting fee required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
CAF had given Kenya until March 30 to settle the fee. According to a press release by the Cabinet Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs, Salim Mvurya, on Tuesday morning, March 31, the nation has now completed the payment for the Pamoja bid hosting.
“In fulfilment of our commitments, the Government has remitted the requisite USD 30 million hosting fee to CAF, reaffirming Kenya’s credibility, readiness, and unwavering commitment to delivering a successful continental tournament,” part of the Minister’s statement read.
Neighboring nations Uganda and Tanzania had already sorted out their share earlier.
Mvurya revealed that the government would accelerate the implementation of all infrastructure and operational compliance requirements set by CAF.
“These include the fast-tracked construction and upgrading of match venues, training facilities, transport and logistics systems, as well as safety, security and broadcast standards,” he said.
“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.
He disclosed that the government would hold a meeting next month to discuss the establishment of a coordinated framework to improve visa facilitation mechanisms to ease movements for teams, fans, officials, and stakeholders across borders.
He said the framework would also address tax exemptions, customs facilitation measures, and clearance procedures for goods and services directly related to Afcon.