With the curtain having fallen on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, global attention is set to shift from the football pitch to the policy arena as Africa prepares to host the inaugural World Public Summit Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 29 and 30.

Held under the theme “A New World: Africa in Shaping a Shared Future,“ the summit will bring together government leaders, diplomats, business executives, entrepreneurs, academics, innovators, civil society organisations, media professionals and cultural figures from across Africa and beyond.

The event marks the first time the World Public Summit has been staged on the African continent, underscoring Africa’s growing influence in global discussions on trade, innovation, sustainable development, public diplomacy and international cooperation.

Organisers say that while the FIFA World Cup united billions through sport, the World Public Summit seeks to channel that same spirit of international connection through dialogue, innovation and collaboration aimed at addressing some of the world’s most pressing economic, technological and social challenges.

A major attraction of the summit will be the international “Unity” art exhibition, featuring leading contemporary artists from 16 African countries. The exhibition will showcase paintings, sculptures, digital art and mixed-media works celebrating Africa’s cultural diversity while reinforcing the summit’s message that creativity can bridge cultures, foster dialogue and strengthen mutual understanding.

Beyond policy discussions, the summit is expected to provide a platform for business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and cultural stakeholders to forge partnerships across industries, highlighting the increasing importance of international gatherings that combine diplomacy, commerce, culture and tourism.

“Major global events capture the world’s attention in different ways,” said Andrey Belyaninov, Secretary-General of the World Peoples Assembly.

“Unity does not mean uniformity. It is born of respect for cultural diversity, mutual trust, openness, and a willingness to understand one another. This is why art, just like sports, remains one of humanity’s most universal languages and one of the most effective instruments of public diplomacy. It brings people together where words alone may fail,” he said.

Another key initiative to be launched during the summit is an international interdisciplinary scientific study titled “The Zambezi River: Economy, Society, Soul.“ The research will examine the socioeconomic impact of the Zambezi River on six African countries—Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.

According to the organisers, the project reflects the summit’s broader vision of promoting Africa’s development through interconnected perspectives encompassing economic opportunity, social progress and cultural identity.

The Addis Ababa gathering forms part of the expanding World Public Summit series, with another flagship summit scheduled to take place in Russia in September. Together, the events are designed to establish a year-round platform for international cooperation across regions and sectors.

Tsegaye Chama, General Secretary of the Global Black Centre, said the African edition would set a high standard for future gatherings.

“The Summit will be delivered with exceptional distinction, reflecting the magnitude and spirit of the World Peoples Assembly. It embodies a unity that is not transactional, but purposeful and conscious—a unity that shapes new contours for a world that works for all peoples of the world,” Chama said.

With delegates expected from across the globe, the inaugural World Public Summit Africa is poised to position Addis Ababa—already home to the African Union and numerous international organisations—as a focal point for dialogue on Africa’s role in shaping an increasingly interconnected world.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has celebrated what it described as the best-ever FIFA World Cup performance by African nations, with CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe declaring that the continent’s teams made history at the expanded 2026 tournament.

Speaking on Wednesday, Motsepe praised the performances of the 10 African representatives at the World Cup, highlighting that nine of them advanced from the group stage to the Round of 32—a record 90 per cent qualification rate that surpassed every previous African campaign.

Africa was represented by Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.

According to CAF, although African teams accounted for only 20.8 per cent of the 48 nations that competed at the tournament, they made up 28.1 per cent of the 32 teams that progressed to the knockout phase. The achievement was second only to UEFA in terms of the proportion of participating teams reaching the Round of 32.

Egypt and Morocco advanced to the Round of 16, while Morocco continued its impressive rise on the global stage by reaching the quarter-finals for the second consecutive FIFA World Cup.

CAF also singled out Cabo Verde, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Ghana and Tunisia for commendable performances during the tournament.

Motsepe described the campaign as a watershed moment for African football.

“Significant progress and successes were achieved by the African National Teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and I am very proud of their performances,” he said.

He noted that the continent’s 90 per cent qualification rate represented a dramatic improvement on previous editions, where African teams achieved qualification rates of 40 percent in 2022 and 2014, while none reached the knockout stage in 2018.

Despite the historic success, Motsepe said CAF had already identified areas requiring improvement ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

To that end, CAF will convene a technical conference with national team coaches, technical experts, former African internationals, and other stakeholders to evaluate tournament performances and formulate strategies for future success.

The CAF president also reiterated the federation’s commitment to expanding investment in youth football, coaching education, domestic leagues and national teams across all 54 member associations.

He revealed that CAF would increase funding for coaching development across its six regional zones and strengthen the CAF African Schools Football Championship as a pathway to nurture young talent.

Motsepe also stressed the importance of improving football infrastructure throughout Africa.

He called for stronger partnerships between governments, football associations and the private sector to ensure every member association has at least one stadium meeting CAF and FIFA standards, allowing national teams and clubs to play home matches before their supporters.

Expressing confidence in Africa’s future, Motsepe said CAF remained convinced that the continent would eventually produce a FIFA World Cup champion.

“Our objective is to make African football globally competitive and among the best in the world,” he said.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a substantial increase in prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with the champions now set to receive a record prize of $2 million.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe said the new financial package reflects the governing body’s growing commitment to developing women’s football across the continent.

The winners’ prize has been increased by 100 per cent, while the tournament’s overall prize fund has risen by 67 percent, from $3.475 million to $5.8 million.

The runners-up will now receive $750,000, representing a 50 per cent increase, while the prize for the third-placed team has also been raised by 43 per cent.

In another major boost, each of the 16 participating national teams will receive $150,000 in participation funding, up from $125,000 in the previous edition.

CAF noted that since the current administration assumed office, the winners’ prize has grown by an extraordinary 900 per cent, rising from $200,000 to $2 million, while the overall prize fund has increased by 495 per cent, from $975,000 to $5.8 million.

The governing body also highlighted the expansion of the tournament itself, with the number of participating teams doubling from eight to sixteen.

CAF believes the enhanced financial incentives will contribute significantly to raising the standard and competitiveness of women’s football across Africa.

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