All-Africa Games

The All-Africa Games was a brainchild of Pierre de Coubertin, renovator of the modern Olympic Games. But in the colonial context that prevailed at the beginning of the last century, all attempts to materialise this idea failed.

Four decades or so down the road and thanks to the impact of the Friendship Games attended by all French-speaking countries in Tananarivo (Madagascar) in 1960, Abidjan (Ivory Coast) in 1961, Dakar (Senegal) in 1963, the maiden All-Africa Games were celebrated in Brazzaville (Congo) in 1965.

Officially recognized by the IOC from this first edition, the concept of the All-Africa Games has since been perpetuated. Over various editions and despite postponements and difficulties confronted by some host countries, the All-Africa Games today has become an Olympic gathering for the entire continent.

For nearly half a century, three major sporting countries have been topping the medal rankings of the Games: South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria. But since a few years now other countries like Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal and Tunisia have also captured the limelight.

Editions of the All-Africa Games

The 10th edition is scheduled for Lusaka (Zambia) in 2011.