Africa’s finest netball nations are set for a thrilling showdown as the 2026 Africa Netball Cup takes centre stage from 19–26 September at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi, Kenya. Ten countries—South Africa, Uganda, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, Botswana, Nigeria and Tanzania—will compete not only for continental supremacy but also for the final African qualification spots for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney. With Africa’s elite and rising contenders sharing one stage, the championship promises high-intensity competition and defining moments for the sport across the continent.
Defending champions South Africa arrive as Africa’s highest-ranked side and fifth in the world after another impressive international campaign, while Uganda, ranked sixth globally, remains one of the fastest-improving teams in world netball. Both nations have already secured their tickets to Sydney through the World Netball Rankings, but their rivalry for continental dominance is expected to headline the tournament following South Africa’s victory over Uganda in the 2025 Africa Netball Cup final.
The battle for the remaining World Cup qualification places is expected to be fierce. Malawi, the reigning 2023 African champions and ninth in the world, enters Nairobi as a leading favourite alongside Zimbabwe, whose consistent rise has made the Gems one of Africa’s strongest forces. Namibia and Zambia also possess the quality to upset the established order, while hosts Kenya will look to harness passionate home support to challenge the continent’s traditional powerhouses and inspire a new generation of players.
The championship will begin with two competitive pools. Pool A features South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Kenya and Nigeria, while Pool B brings together Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Tanzania. Teams will contest round-robin matches before progressing to crossover fixtures, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals and the remaining sides battling for final classification positions. Every match will carry significant weight as teams chase both medals and coveted World Cup qualification.
Beyond the trophies and rankings, the Africa Netball Cup 2026 represents years of investment, player development and growing competitiveness across African netball. By the end of the week, two more nations will book their places alongside South Africa and Uganda at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, while Nairobi will once again demonstrate Africa’s growing influence on the global netball stage.
