Angola is preparing to make history by hosting the 4th African Youth Games for the very first time. The event, which will run from 10 to 20 December 2025, will bring together athletes aged 14 to 17 from all 54 African nations.
This edition is particularly symbolic as Angola becomes the first Portuguese-speaking nation to stage the multi-sport youth event. The Games will be spread across six cities; Luanda, Benguela, Lubango, Huambo, Moçâmedes and Caxito, with 33 sporting disciplines on the programme.
The Games also coincide with Angola’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations on 11 November, adding further national significance to the occasion.
Formal Agreement with ANOCA
The right to host the 2025 African Youth Games followed a formal memorandum of understanding between the Angolan authorities and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA). The agreement was signed by Minister of Youth and Sports Rui Luís Falcão Pinto de Andrade, ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf, and Angolan Olympic Committee chairman Gustavo da Conceição.
Speaking on Angola’s readiness, Berraf commended the nation’s preparations:
“Angola possesses infrastructure and human resources capable of making these African Games a memorable rendezvous. All guarantees for their success are obvious, and we intend to stage a great and wonderful jamboree for African sports, to the joy and happiness of the continent’s youths.”
He added that, “Sport is a powerful tool for development, and this initiative is clear testimony of what we can achieve together.”
Presidential Honour and National Support
As a symbol of international recognition, President João Lourenço received ANOCA’s Medal of Merit, the first ever awarded to an Angolan head of state. The honour underlined his contribution to the promotion of sport and his support in securing international sporting events for Angola.
Minister Rui Falcão highlighted the importance of the Games, noting:
“These African Youth Games provide an opportunity to demonstrate the state’s organisational abilities and to upgrade its national sports infrastructure, thus positioning the country as a strategic hub of African sports.”
He also confirmed that funding has been secured through the national General State Budget, ensuring smooth preparations.
A Pathway to Dakar 2026
Beyond being a continental festival, the 2025 African Youth Games serve as a qualifier for the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar. This raises the stakes for participating athletes as success in Angola could lead to a place on the global Olympic stage.
Venues and Test Events
An ANOCA inspection team, led by Berraf and Vice-President João Da Costa Alegre Afonso, assessed venues in December 2024. Their conclusion was clear: Angola “offers adequate conditions” to stage an event of this magnitude.
Facilities inspected included the Kilamba Multi-sports Pavilion, 11th November Stadium, Olympafrica Multipurpose Centre and Alvalade Pool. The under-construction Angolan Olympic Committee headquarters was also hailed as proof of long-term commitment.
In preparation, several test events are scheduled in 2025, including the African Fencing Championships, International Gymnastics Festival, International Boxing Tournament, Karate-Dô Independence Cup, African Judo Championships and African Canoeing Championship. These competitions will help fine-tune logistics and operations ahead of the December Games.
Sports and Cultural Heritage
The 33 sports disciplines include athletics, football, swimming, basketball (including 3×3), rugby, tennis, boxing, gymnastics, fencing, weightlifting and triathlon. In addition, Angola has integrated traditional African games such as Kiela and Wela, celebrating cultural identity alongside competitive excellence.
Each city has been allocated specific events. Luanda will host wrestling, taekwondo, swimming, fencing, tennis and weightlifting, while Benguela will stage football, futsal, beach handball, basketball and shooting. Athletics will be held in Bengo, ensuring that multiple regions benefit from the Games.
Chefs de Mission Seminar
A crucial step in the build-up will be the Chefs de Mission Seminar, scheduled for 11–15 September 2025. Delegation heads from all 54 nations will gather to finalise operational details, align logistics and scout emerging talent who could represent Africa at the Youth Olympics.
Inspiring Africa’s Next Generation
Berraf issued a message to Africa’s young athletes:
“Train hard and be disciplined. These Games are for you a unique opportunity to demonstrate your talent, to strengthen your competitive spirit and to make your nation’s flag fly high. They are also an opportunity for you to learn, share and build a better future through sports values.”
He concluded:
“By signing this memorandum of understanding, we are taking a collective commitment: providing youths with necessary means to dream, to excel and to blossom out. Together, we are laying the foundation of an event that will indelibly be printed in history and in hearts.”
