AFCON: The Football Festival That Brings Africa Together

For many African countries, AFCON has been a form of collective national struggle for identity and pride. Football has an almost magical ability to make people forget – if only for a brief moment – their differences and unite under the national flag. When the national team is ready to take the field, the fans often get a sense of common identity that is rarely seen in other contexts.

Take the Ivory Coast as an example. Over the years, the Ivorian national team has rallied the nation in times of both political turmoil and social divisions. While players like Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré have brought the team to victory, they have also created hope and a sense that the nation can stand strong together – despite the challenges the country otherwise faces. While football obviously cannot eliminate deep-seated problems, the sport can create a temporary unity, and that is exactly what AFCON manages. In this way, AFCON becomes a form of unofficial nationwide diplomacy – a break from everyday challenges and a national project that goes far beyond a single tournament.

Hosting a tournament like AFCON is not just about the direct football-related revenue; it is also about creating an economic environment that can attract both tourists and investors. When a country is chosen as host, it often follows a wave of infrastructure investment – new stadiums, roads and transport are upgraded, all of which can have a long-term effect on the economy. For many African cities, it is a chance to showcase their capabilities to a global public and to attract a new international audience.

Morocco is a bright example of this approach. The 1988 AFCON hosting saw significant investment in both infrastructure and hotels, which has had positive effects on the country’s tourism industry many years later.

Football is not just a sport; it is a universal language, and AFCON has shown several times that the tournament can also be used to raise awareness of social issues that otherwise often remain invisible. Many African players and teams have used AFCON to promote awareness of issues such as health, education and gender inequality – issues that affect millions on the continent and require a collective effort to change.

AFCON is also a platform for African self-reliance and global positioning, where the continent has the opportunity to do away with stereotypes and unfair perceptions. For African nations, who often struggle with skewed representation in international media and under – representation in major sports forums, AFCON becomes an opportunity to demonstrate their strength and show the world that Africa can do something special-both sporting and cultural.

There is some debate about how much of this attention really extends beyond the borders of the continent, but for many it is the symbolism that counts. AFCON serves as an arena where Africa can present its diversity and complex, rich culture to a global crowd. For fans and players, it also means an opportunity to celebrate their roots and proudly represent their country, and for some African nations, a win in AFCON can be as important as a place in the World Cup – perhaps even more important.

The tournament has proven to be a powerful factor for nation building, economic development and social change and has given African nations an opportunity to assert themselves and inspire their populations