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{{Short description|Football tournament in central Africa}}
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{{Infobox football tournament
| name      = Pamoja AFCON
| region    = Africa (CAF)
| founded   = 2023
| organiser = [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]]
| current   = [[2027 Africa Cup of Nations]]
| image     = 
}}
'''Pamoja [[AFCON]]''' is the joint identity and branding for the football tournaments co-hosted by [[Kenya]], [[Uganda]] and [[Tanzania]] under the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The term ''Pamoja'', which means "together" in Swahili, represents regional unity and cooperation. It was introduced in 2023 after the three countries won the bid to host the [[2027 Africa Cup of Nations]].

The identity was first applied during the [[2024 African Nations Championship|African Nations Championship 2024]] (CHAN 2024), used as a trial run to test the region’s readiness to co-host a major continental competition. The larger and more prestigious [[2027 Africa Cup of Nations]] (AFCON 2027) will be held under the same ''Pamoja'' brand.

== Background ==
In September 2023, CAF awarded the hosting rights for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations to the East African joint bid of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.<ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/football/how-pamoja-bid-bagged-2027-afcon-hosting-rights-4382406 Nation Africa – How Pamoja bid bagged 2027 AFCON hosting rights]</ref> This marked the first time the tournament would be staged in East Africa, and the first time three countries would co-host it.

To ensure adequate preparation, CAF also designated the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as a test event for the region, adopting the ''Pamoja'' identity for both tournaments.<ref>[https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/2025/07/21/caf-launches-chan-2024-campaign-with-pamoja-theme-unveils-downloadable-official-poster/ Sports Village Square – CAF launches CHAN 2024 campaign with Pamoja theme]</ref>

== Pamoja CHAN 2024 ==
The [[2024 African Nations Championship]] was jointly organised in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania under the Pamoja theme. The tournament was initially scheduled for early 2025 but was later postponed to August 2025.<ref>[https://en.africatopsports.com/2025/08/04/chan-2024-uganda-cranes-squad-shirt-nos-confirmed/ Africa Top Sports – CHAN 2024 Uganda Cranes squad shirt numbers confirmed]</ref>

Highlights included:

* An official tournament anthem, ''Pamoja'', performed by Kenyan artist Savara, Tanzanian singer Phina, and Ugandan artist Elijah Kitaka.<ref>[https://www.kbc.co.ke/savara-writes-chan-anthem-pamoja/ KBC – Savara writes CHAN anthem Pamoja]</ref>
* The ''Pamoja Visa'' concept was introduced to ease cross-border travel for fans, players, and officials.
* Joint branding and promotional campaigns across East Africa to test collaboration ahead of AFCON 2027.

The CHAN tournament served as a dress rehearsal for AFCON 2027, testing logistics, stadiums, and security arrangements.

== Pamoja AFCON 2027 ==
The [[2027 Africa Cup of Nations]] will be the first AFCON hosted in East Africa and only the second time in history that three nations jointly host the tournament (after the 2023 AFCON co-hosted by Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Liberia was proposed but did not materialise).

=== Infrastructure ===
The Pamoja bid committed to upgrading and constructing several stadiums:

* '''Kenya''': [[Kasarani Stadium]], Nyayo Stadium, Kipchoge Keino Stadium, Talanta Stadium
* '''Uganda''': [[Mandela National Stadium]], [[Hoima City Stadium]], [[Akii Bua Stadium]]
* '''Tanzania''': [[Benjamin Mkapa Stadium]], Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium, Dodoma Stadium<ref>[https://chimpreports.com/afcon-stadium-preparations-in-uganda/ Chimp Reports – AFCON stadium preparations in Uganda]</ref>

=== Economic and regional impact ===
The tournaments are expected to boost regional tourism, create jobs, and accelerate infrastructure development. The adoption of the ''Pamoja'' identity is also seen as strengthening East African Community (EAC) cooperation.

== Branding and legacy ==
The ''Pamoja'' brand emphasises unity, cultural pride, and regional integration. Beyond football, it is intended to leave a legacy of cross-border collaboration, improved infrastructure, and stronger community ties in East Africa.

== See also ==

* [[African Nations Championship]]
* [[Africa Cup of Nations]]
* [[FUFA|Sport in East Africa]]

== References ==
<references />
<ref>{{cite web |date=21 July 2025 |title=CAF unveils Pamoja campaign and official poster for TotalEnergies African Nations Championship 2024 |url=https://www.cafonline.com/caf-african-nations-championship/news/caf-unveils-pamoja-campaign-and-official-poster-for-totalenergies-caf-african-nations-championship-2024-25-07-21/ |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=CAF Online}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=27 September 2023 |title=Africa: East Africa Pamoja Bid Wins AFCON 2027 |url=https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00087110.html |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=AllAfrica}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mabonga |first=Elvis |date=5 August 2025 |title=Ruto: Winning CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027 bids worth bragging about |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/football/ruto-1-000-winning-chan-2024-and-afcon-2027-bids-are-worth-bragging-about--5076850 |access-date=29 August 2025 |newspaper=Nation Africa}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=15 August 2025 |title=East Africa Pamoja: CHAN glory could usher a new era ahead of AFCON 2027 |url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/29085/sports/football/east-africa-pamoja-we-can-chan-glory-could-usher-a-new-era-ahead-of-afcon-2027 |access-date=29 August 2025 |newspaper=The New Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=30 July 2025 |title=CHAN 2024: Pamoja in heart and soul |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/chan-2024-pamoja-in-heart-and-soul--5138212 |access-date=29 August 2025 |newspaper=Daily Monitor}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2025 |title=CAF Inspection visits Uganda for Pamoja AFCON 2027 preparations |url=https://www.fufa.co.ug/category/afcon-2027-pamoja/ |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=FUFA}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 September 2023 |title=How Pamoja Bid Bagged 2027 AFCON Hosting Rights |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/football/east-africa-pamoja-bid-china-african-football-silent-partner-5132990 |access-date=29 August 2025 |newspaper=Nation Africa}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=27 September 2023 |title=East Africa to Host 2027 AFCON |url=https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00087110.html |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=AllAfrica}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hoima National Stadium |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoima_National_Stadium |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samia_Suluhu_Hassan_Stadium |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref>

[[Category:Africa Cup of Nations]]