ANOCA expresses satisfaction with the remarkable success of the Regional Olympic Solidarity Forum held from 3 to 5 May 2024, at the Olympic Centre in Cairo, future venue of the 2027 African Games. The major event brought together representatives of the 54 NOCs to explore opportunities offered by the Olympic Solidarity Quadrennial Plan for 2025-2028.
With the new format of simultaneous thematic workshops, participants deepened their knowledge on the various funding programmes available to support the preparation of elite athletes, promotion of Olympic values, development of national sports systems and enhanced governance within sports organisations.
Speaking on this occasion, ANOCA President, Mustapha Berraf underscored the importance of this forum for the future of African sport: “This forum opens up promising avenues for our continent. Olympic Solidarity programmes afford a unique opportunity that every African NOC must take full advantage of. I call on all our members to make judicious use of the resources at their disposal in order to develop our youth talent and improve our performance on the international stage. Fully utilising allocated funds is not only an administrative objective, but it is a duty to our athletes and communities.”
ANOCA expresses deep gratitude to the Olympic Solidarity team for their exemplary commitment throughout the 2021-2024 Olympiad. The results achieved during the previous quadrennial testify to the effectiveness of their support and the importance of programmes implemented.
The Association equally wishes to express its sincere thanks to the former IOC President, Thomas Bach, for his constant and decisive support to sport development in Africa. His vision of an inclusive and supportive Olympic Movement helped build the capacities of African NOCs considerably and opened up new horizons for the continent’s youth.
The Forum highlighted many funding opportunities available for the 2025-2028 Olympiad, thus providing African NOCs with the necessary tools to effectively prepare their athletes for upcoming international competitions, especially the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
ANOCA reaffirms its commitment to supporting African NOCs to utilise these resources more judiciously and to work for harmonious and sustainable sport development in Africa, in keeping with the Olympic values of respect, excellence and friendship.
ANOCA and IOC at the 2025 Olympic Solidarity Forum
About ANOCA
ANOCA is the governing body of African NOCs. It was established on 28 June 1981 in Lome, Togo, and today has 54 NOCs. Its main objective is to serve sport, youth and human development, and to promote Olympic values across the continent:
Establishment: 28 June 1981 (Lome, Togo).
Members: 54 African NOCs (almost a quarter of the world’s NOCs).
Mission: to promote sport, youth, human development and Olympic values.
Key actions and programmes
ANOCA implements many continental sports development programmes. For example, it offers an Olympic Games preparation programme for African athletes and organises training seminars and youth talent conferences. It also integrates thematic components (sustainability conference) to boost these actions. Moreover, ANOCA co-organises all major continental competitions including the African Games, African Youth Games, Beach Games, etc. – thus offering African athletes competition and training opportunities. Key actions include:
Support programme for Athletes: Preparation for the Olympic Games, development seminars (international opportunities, sustainability, etc.).
Themed events: Conferences and training sessions (sport and environment/sustainable development) for young athletes. Continental competitions: Organisation and support to all major African Olympic competitions (African Games, Youth Games, Beach Games, School Games, etc.).
Role of IOC and Olympic Solidarity in Africa
IOC provides essential support for sport development in Africa through its Olympic Solidarity programme. For the 2025-2028 Olympiad, the Solidarity budget totals € 650 million (a 10% increase compared to 2021-2024). The amount earmarked for athletes’ scholarships has witnessed an exceptional increase of 16%, reflecting a greater effort to fund the preparation and training of African athletes. Special emphasis is placed on youth programmes (in anticipation of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games). In this new Olympiad, 41% of Solidarity resources are allocated to world programmes and 34% to continental programmes. This clearly demonstrates the IOC’s determination to step up its action in Africa, by financing local competitions, training for coaches and administrators, and direct assistance to national federations.
Strategic collaboration ANOCA-IOC at the 2025 Forum
ANOCA and IOC (Olympic Solidarity) worked in close collaboration at the Regional Forum held from 28 April to 5 May 2025 in Cairo (Egypt). Co-organised by ANOCA and Olympic Solidarity, the event brought together representatives from 54 African NOCs and international experts. The aim was to develop a common strategic vision in order to maximise the impact of resources allocated to African sport. The forum was also an opportunity to present Olympic Solidarity’s 2025-2028 Quadrennial Plan, and to consider the continent’s specific needs in its implementation. This enhanced collaboration is expected to optimise the use of funds and leave a sustainable legacy for social and economic development through sport in Africa.
Importance of partnership for companies and partners
Such initiatives offer valuable opportunities for corporate partners. This type of partnership associates companies in the growth of African sport and promotion of Olympic values, while giving them much exposure. As ANOCA President pointed out, “this partnership gives greater exposure, not only to our member associations, but also to all African athletes competing on the Olympic stage“. By supporting the Forum and Olympic Solidarity programmes, private partners (companies, sponsors, foundations) benefit from strong media exposure and positive positioning, while contributing meaningfully sport development and Olympic education on the continent.
