The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) has officially announced Algeria as the host nation for the 4th edition of the combined Under-18 and Under-20 African Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place in 2027.

CAA President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum made the announcement on Thursday during a press briefing in Abeokuta, Nigeria, where he also provided key updates on upcoming continental athletics events.

 “We will have the senior championship in Accra, Ghana in 2026,” Kalkaba confirmed.

 “And then, the Under-18 and Under-20 championships will return to Algeria in 2027. Botswana is expected to host the senior championship in 2028.”

The CAA also revealed that both Egypt and Ethiopia have expressed formal interest in hosting future youth athletics championships, with final decisions on those bids to be announced at a later date.

While Algeria was previously granted hosting rights for the 2023 edition, the event had to be relocated due to a lack of commitment from local organizers. Kalkaba recalled his visit to Oran during the ANOCA General Assembly, where discussions with Algerian officials did not yield the enthusiasm required to host the event.

“I didn’t feel the level of interest needed to successfully host the event,” Kalkaba remarked.

As a result, Nigeria stepped in to host the 2023 edition on short notice, demonstrating rapid mobilization and dedication to youth athletics development.

“Fortunately, Mr. Shehu Diko, Chairman of Nigeria’s Sports Commission, was present during that meeting. As a brother, I approached him and asked if Nigeria could take up the challenge within four months — and they delivered,” Kalkaba added.

The CAA President emphasized the critical importance of youth competitions to Africa’s long-term success in global athletics.

“These events prepare the future of high-performance athletics in Africa. They are vital to building the pride of the continent on the global stage,” he said.

In addition, the CAA is actively seeking a new host for the African Cross Country Championships, a competition which has waned in visibility despite Africa’s continued dominance in long-distance running.