Abuja, 28 January 2025 – The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) is preparing ahead of elections into the Executive Committee during an elective General Assembly billed for 15 March 2025 in Algiers. Incumbent President, Mustapha Berraf, a prominent IOC member, Vice President of ANOC and President of the Olympafrica Foundation, is running for re-election unchallenged, which evidences the unanimous support he enjoys among the continent’s 54 NOCs. This of course speaks to his rigorous management, visionary governance and unflagging commitment to youth and sport development in Africa.
Dynamic and streamlined governance
Since his election as ANOCA President, Mustapha Berraf has lent fresh impetus to the organisation. Thanks to exemplary management and a keen sense of diplomacy, he has been able to unite all African Olympic Movement stakeholders around a common vision: elevating African sport to the highest levels globally.
Under his stewardship, ANOCA has made giant strides in terms of good governance, sports infrastructure and athlete support. He has also worked for greater women’s representation within African and international sports governing bodies, in keeping with IOC principles, as indicated by IOC President, Thomas Bach: “Mustapha Berraf is a respected leader whose vision and commitment to African Olympism are inspiring. Thanks to his actions, Africa has taken centre stage within the global Olympic Movement.”
Tangible achievements to boost African sport
During his tenure, Mustapha Berraf initiated and implemented a number of major projects aimed at restructuring African sport and providing the most enabling conditions for athlete development. These achievements include:
- Construction and equipping of African NOCs headquarters: a major initiative that has provided several NOCs with modern infrastructure to better support their athletes.
- Partnership with FIFA and World Aquatics (formerly FINA): this partnership led to the construction of 50 football pitches of international standards and 5 Olympic swimming pools, providing new opportunities for budding African talents.
- More scholarship programmes and grants to help athletes prepare for major international events, especially the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the next Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment in sport: ANOCA has stepped up efforts to empower women within sports governing bodies, as well as its support to female athletes.
Such progress, achieved in concert with the entire ANOCA Executive Committee, and welcomed by all, have made ANOCA a governance model and a key sport development player in Africa.
Strong consensus
In recognition of the work accomplished by Mustapha Berraf and the entire ANOCA Executive Committee, all African NOCs are unanimously in support of his re-election. One NOC President noted: “Mustapha Berraf embodies stability and ambition for African sport. His ability to federate and implement integrated projects is a guarantee for the future.”
Of course, this recognition also extends to current ANOCA Executive Committee members, who played a key role in implementing the reforms and strategic projects during this tenure. Thanks to their expertise and commitment, ANOCA was able to consolidate cooperation ties with international bodies, develop modern sports infrastructure and professionalise the management of the African NOCs.
Looking forward to a new mandate, Mustapha Berraf’s assertive leadership and the continuity of a committed management team stand today as essential elements in guaranteeing the sustenance of reforms undertaken and ensuring an ever more promising future for African sport. By dint of his charisma, his rigour and his ability to unite people around an ambitious vision, hand in glove with the Executive Committee, and the effective coordination of the administration at the Secretariat General under the Secretary General, Eng. Ahmed Abou Elgasim Hashim, Mustapha Berraf has been able to drive progress within ANOCA. The current Executive Committee, made up of highly experienced dignitaries of the African Olympic Movement, backed this transformation by implementing integrated projects, boosting cooperation with international bodies and guaranteeing transparent and inclusive governance. Thanks to the team’s unity and efficiency, ANOCA has established itself as a key institution in world sport. Another mandate will afford an opportunity to build on these achievements and rise to new challenges and as such position Africa even higher on the international sports podium.
Candidates in the run for the ANOCA Executive Committee
At the close of nominations on 29 January 2025, the list of candidates for the various positions on the Executive Committee stands as follows:
President:
- Mustapha Berraf (Algeria) – running unchallenged
First Vice President:
- João Afonso (São Tomé and Príncipe)
Second Vice President:
- Filomena Fortes (Cape Verde
- Matlohang Moiloa Ramoqopo (Lesotho)
Third Vice President:
- Alfred Foloko (Zambia)
- Khaled Ezankuli (Libya)
- Julien Minavoa (Benin)
Fourth Vice President:
- Fardouza Moussa Egueh (Djibouti)
Secretary General:
- Ahmed Abou Elgasim Hashim (Sudan)
- David Ojong (Cameroon)
- Khaled Zein (Egypt)
- Seydina Omar Diagne (Senegal)
Treasurer General:
- Habu Ahmed Gumel (Nigeria)
The elections will be conducted during the ANOCA General Assembly and will define the organisation’s new strategic guidelines for the next quadrennial.
A new mandate to consolidate achievements and aim higher
With a largely positive track record and a clear vision for the future, Mustapha Berraf is the right man to head a committed team, which will continue transforming African sport. Under his stewardship, ANOCA will continue working for:
- Improved sports infrastructure across the continent;
- Sustained support for athletes, coaches and national federations;
- The development of women’s sport and the inclusion of budding African talents in major international competitions;
- Transparent and efficient governance that fosters cooperation with world bodies.
With a consolidated management team and unprecedented support from the African NOCs, Mustapha Berraf hopes to begin his new term of office with the promise of taking African sport ambitions to another level on the international stage. African Olympism is on the move, inching towards an even more glorious future.
