Cycling: Kenya hosts the African Championships for the third consecutive year.

Published on: 16/09/2026 - 10:55

2 min Reading time

Who will succeed South Africa's Hayley Preen in the women's elite category and Eritrea's Merhawi Kudus in the men's elite category? 

For this new edition of the African Cycling Championships, which have been held since 2005, riders will take to the roads in Kisumu, Kenya's third-largest city, as confirmed by the president of the African Cycling Confederation, Yao Allan Kouamé, in an interview with RFI. 

“I hope they can find a course that is not too difficult for those who prefer flat terrain,” says Yao Allan Kouamé. He adds: “Some federation officials have already contacted me to say: ‘We know that in Kenya, there are many mountains. It shouldn't be a too hilly course that could disadvantage us. I replied: ‘Listen, we will make sure that this is not a World Championship, but a true African Championship.’”

At least 30 countries expected for the championships

Why Kenya again? “The organizer, Golazo, contacted several African countries that, for the most part, were initially ready to host the competition but ultimately decided to postpone it to 2027,” explains Yao Allan Kouamé. “We could not go a year without a championship, so the organizer turned to Kenya, where they have a branch. They have connections with Kenya and approached the country's authorities, who agreed for the third time to host the event. For us, it’s perfect; as long as we can organize the competition and crown the champions, that’s our goal,” he says. 

In 2025, around 30 countries participated in the competition just after the World Championship in Kigali, Rwanda. Yao Allan Kouamé hopes to attract even more participants. 

For young African cyclists, another significant event will be the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), taking place in Senegal from October 31 to November 13, 2026. These African Cycling Championships could serve as a springboard for the Dakar event.  Yao Allan Kouamé also announces a training camp organized by the confederation in Kisumu before the championships. 

Comments from Yao Allan Kouamé collected by Olivier Pron