In 2023, three nations—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—embarked on an ambitious journey to achieve the unprecedented: co-hosting the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN). This effort was born out of a shared frustration. For decades, East African football has lagged behind the powerhouses of South, West and North Africa. While the region boasts raw talent, it lacks the infrastructure and investment to nurture it. In Nairobi, the president of the Football Kenya Federation met with his counterparts from Uganda and Tanzania. Their discussions went beyond hosting a tournament; they envisioned a united East Africa redefining its football legacy. “This is bigger than football.”  However, the dream met immediate skepticism. Could three nations, each facing unique political and bureaucratic hurdles, collaborate effectively? Could they convince CAF (the governing body of African football) that they were capable of hosting an event of this magnitude? On a crisp morning in Cairo, CAF announced its decision—and the race was on.

Stadiums in Disrepair

The first and most glaring challenge was infrastructure. Kenya’s Kasarani Stadium, once a crown jewel of African sports, has fallen into neglect. Uganda's Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) has finally completed its lengthy renovations and is now up to standard, joining Tanzania's Benjamin Mkapa Stadium as a suitable venue. For Kenya, deadlines are fast approaching, and delays continue to mount.

CAF’s standards are unforgiving—state-of-the-art pitches, modern seating, and flawless lighting systems are non-negotiable. Moreover, CHAN 2025 represents a critical test for East Africa’s preparedness to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a prospect that could redefine the region’s footballing identity.

The state of stadiums in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania reflects broader challenges in African sports infrastructure. Facilities often suffer from inconsistent funding, lack of maintenance, and protracted upgrades, turning once-proud investments into "white elephants." Yet, this challenge also presents an opportunity to extend development to second-tier cities like Kakamega, Eldoret, Mwanza, and Jinja, where new stadiums are planned or existing ones will be renovated.

Kasarani remains Kenya's flagship stadium, but maintenance issues have been a recurring problem. In 2021, FIFA deemed it unfit for World Cup qualifiers due to substandard facilities, such as poor dressing rooms and pitch quality. Nyayo Stadium underwent renovations in 2020, but the upgrades were criticized for being superficial. Within months, leaks and peeling paint marred its appearance.

Uganda's Namboole Stadium, built in 1997, has deteriorated significantly, plagued by cracked walls, non-functional floodlights, and poor pitch quality. This led to bans by both FIFA and CAF in 2021. Other stadiums, like Bugembe in Jinja, fare even worse, often unable to host professional matches due to poor infrastructure and lack of funding.

In contrast, Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium has maintained relatively good condition due to consistent maintenance. However, secondary venues, like Uhuru Stadium and Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium, have not been as well cared for.

Privately-owned sports facilities are emerging as a promising solution. Projects like St. Mary’s Kitende in Uganda, the Azam Complex in Tanzania, and Kenya’s Police Sacco Stadium and Ulinzi Complex will serve as training grounds for CHAN 2025.

The Cost of Collaboration

No single East African nation could afford CHAN on its own, but together, they can. The tournament is expected to draw thousands of fans and tourists, boosting local economies through spending on hotels, restaurants, and transportation. Sponsorship deals and broadcast rights offer additional revenue streams, while the increased visibility of East African football could attract long-term investment in the sports industry.

Behind the scenes, the financial reality of hosting CHAN is setting in. The estimated cost exceeds $100 million—a hefty sum to be divided among the three nations. Public enthusiasm remains high, but critics question the practicality of investing so heavily in sports when these countries face economic challenges like unemployment.

Nonetheless, the governments are pressing forward. Kenya has allocated Ksh 3.7 billion (approximately $27 million) to renovate key stadiums, including Kasarani and Nyayo. Uganda has committed 350 billion Ugandan Shillings (around $95 million) for upgrades, with 49 billion Shillings already paid to CAF as hosting fees. While Tanzania has not disclosed exact figures, it has similarly pledged significant resources to ensure CHAN’s success.

However, tensions have surfaced over key decisions, such as which country will host the opening and closing ceremonies. Kenyan officials argue that Nairobi, as the regional hub, is the natural choice. Ugandan officials counter that Kampala’s central location makes it ideal, while Tanzanians fiercely lobby for Dar es Salaam.

Competition never Sleeps

As the East African trio grapples with challenges, Rwanda emerges as a formidable wildcard. Under President Paul Kagame, Rwanda has heavily invested in sports infrastructure as part of its broader development strategy. With world-class facilities and a proven track record of hosting CHAN 2016, Rwanda’s bid for 2025 poses a serious threat.

In Kigali, the Amahoro National Stadium gleams as a testament to what focused investment can achieve. Rwandan officials have not shied away from taking subtle digs at their neighbors, emphasizing their ability to deliver without the complexities of cross-border collaboration. Should Kenya, Uganda, or Tanzania falter, Rwanda stands ready to step in. 

Lessons from the EAC Treaty

The joint bid by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to host CHAN 2025 is underpinned by the lessons learned from both their successes and challenges in hosting major sporting events. Kenya has proven its capability with the successful hosting of events such as the 2017 IAAF World Under-18 Championships and the 2010 World Cross Country Championships, while Uganda’s recent management of the 2019 Netball World Cup qualifiers and the 2014 CECAFA Challenge Cup showcases its growing ability to organize international tournaments. Tanzania, with its successful hosting of the 2019 African Beach Soccer Championship and the 2016 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, adds significant strength to the joint bid. These experiences highlight the region's growing confidence in its organizational capacity and its readiness to scale up for a continental event like CHAN 2025.

However, the joint bid also draws on the lessons from past failures, such as Kenya’s disqualification from the 2018 CHAN qualifiers due to poor infrastructure, which spurred the country to invest in stadium upgrades like the Talanta Hela Stadium. Similarly, Uganda’s inability to host the 2014 Africa Nations Cup because of infrastructure deficiencies at Namboole Stadium led to major renovations. Tanzania’s loss of the 2019 AFCON bid, due to similar challenges, prompted a renewed focus on stadium development. The joint effort for CHAN 2025 reflects the East African Community’s commitment to overcoming these hurdles by pooling resources, sharing strengths, and leveraging the EAC’s framework of regional cooperation. This collaborative approach aims to meet CAF’s stringent requirements, ensuring that the region not only delivers a successful tournament but also strengthens its reputation as a unified sports hub in Africa. 

The Business Opportunity

The East African Community (EAC) nations stand to gain a significant economic boost through their collective effort to host major sporting events like CHAN, as businesses and governments pool resources to drive growth across various sectors. The tourism industry, which encompasses hotels, restaurants, transport, and local businesses, will experience an immediate surge in revenue as thousands of visitors flock to the region. Beyond the short-term influx, these events also create lasting opportunities for companies such as Decathlon, which has expanded its footprint in the region by opening stores in multiple countries. These stores can tap into local initiatives, like selling national team merchandise, unlocking a huge market potential. With the East Africa Tourist Visa, tourists can seamlessly visit Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and even Rwanda with a single visa, facilitating cost-effective and hassle-free travel. The region's interconnected transportation system—spanning road networks, railways, and flights between major cities—complements the visa system, ensuring smooth movement across borders. 

Kenya is home to iconic spots like the Masai Mara National Reserve, known for the Great Migration and Big Five safaris, Amboseli National Park, with its breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, and Tsavo National Park, famous for its expansive landscapes and wildlife. Lake Nakuru National Park is a birdwatcher's paradise, while Diani Beach offers pristine coastlines. In Uganda, visitors flock to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for gorilla trekking, Kibale National Park for chimpanzee tracking, and Murchison Falls National Park, known for its spectacular waterfall. The serene Lake Bunyonyi is a top spot for relaxation, and Jinja is renowned for white-water rafting on the Nile. Tanzania boasts the Serengeti National Park, world-famous for the annual wildebeest migration, the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater, and the historic Stone Town in Zanzibar, offering rich cultural and beach experiences. Additionally, accessible forex exchange services further streamline the financial aspect for tourists traveling between the countries, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

The Final Stretch

Following recent inspections by CAF officials on preparations for CHAN 2025, each of the host nations has received tailored recommendations to address specific infrastructure issues. In Kenya, concerns were raised about the readiness of key stadiums, particularly the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium. With CAF imposing a deadline of December 31, 2024, for these venues to be fully operational, Kenya faces the risk of losing its co-hosting rights if the necessary progress is not made. In response, Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has assured the public that contractors are working around the clock to meet the deadline. If Kenya fails to deliver, CAF will transfer hosting responsibilities to Rwanda, which has already completed preparations for its Amahoro Stadium.

In contrast, Uganda is on track, with the Mandela National Stadium meeting all CAF requirements, confirming its readiness to host the tournament. Tanzania also faces no significant infrastructure challenges, with the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium fully compliant with CAF's criteria. This ensures Tanzania’s prominent role in the joint hosting effort. The true impact of CHAN 2025 will only be realized after the final whistle blows, but its legacy promises world-class stadiums, a boost to regional economies, and a revitalized sense of East African pride. Most importantly, it will stand as a testament to the power of collaboration, proving that East Africa can achieve remarkable feats when united.