The African Union (AU) Commission and the African Union Sports Council (AUSC), in collaboration with AUSC Region 2 and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, successfully convened the Policy for Sustainable Development of Sport in Africa Popularisation Workshop from 1โ2 April 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The workshop brought together Directors of Sports from AUSC Region 2 Member States (West Africa): Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Guinea, Cabo Verde, and Sierra Leone. It served as a strategic platform for reviewing the Member Statesโ progress in aligning their national sports policies with the AU Policy for the Sustainable Development of Sport in Africa, which was endorsed by the AU Executive Council in July 2023.
Promoting Alignment with the Continental Sport Policy
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mallam Shehu Dikko, underscored the importance of coordinated action to advance Africaโs sport development agenda.
โSport is now a powerful instrument of peace, social cohesion, and regional integration. It brings people together, strengthens ties between communities, and contributes to improving the health and well-being of our citizensโ
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman, National Sports Commission, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Representing the AU Commission, Dr. Angela Martins, Acting Director for Social Development, Culture and Sport, highlighted the African Unionโs recognition of sport, physical education, and physical activity as a platform that can significantly contribute to social and economic development in Member States when effectively utilised. She recalled that this understanding guided the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sport, composed of Ministers responsible for the three sectors, when it met in Addis Ababa in May 2023 and adopted the Policy for the Sustainable Development of Sport in Africa.
The policy aims to promote inclusive participation in sport, strengthen institutional and technical capacities, and elevate the excellence and global visibility of African athletes. It also reaffirms the ideals of Pan-Africanism, fosters African Renaissance, and promotes national unity and nation-building through sport.
Strengthening Sport Governance in AUSC Region 2
Over the two-day meeting, Directors of Sports from Region 2 deliberated on key priorities, including:
- Alignment of national sport policies with the AU Policy for the Sustainable Development of Sport in Africa
- Implementation of the AUSC Five-Year Strategic Plan 2024-2028
- Strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems for sport development
- Enhancing the institutional capacity of the AUSC Region 2 Secretariat, based in Abuja
- Preparations for the AUSC Region 2 Games, scheduled for June 2026 in The Gambia
Participants expressed satisfaction with the constructive discussions and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation within AUSC Region 2. They also welcomed the opportunity to participate in the inaugural AUSC Region 2 Games in The Gambia.
