On the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations Final in Rabat, Morocco, football leaders and public health advocates gathered to connect sport with Africa’s fight against polio and malaria.
The launch of Speak Up Africa in Action positioned the tournament as a continental stage for political commitment, community trust, and renewed momentum in disease elimination.
Introduction
At the Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat, Morocco, Speak Up Africa unveiled a continent-wide platform linking football leadership with public health action. The Africa Cup of Nations health campaign brings together policymakers, athletes, and global health partners to strengthen polio eradication and malaria elimination efforts across North Africa and beyond.
Rabat Activation Highlights African-Led Public Health Leadership
The activation in Morocco brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including football administrators, youth representatives, civil society organizations, and international health partners.
By aligning with one of Africa’s most-watched sporting events, Speak Up Africa aimed to extend the reach of African-led narratives on disease prevention and health system resilience.
Organizers described the platform as a traveling initiative that will reappear at major sporting and cultural moments across the continent. The approach is designed to keep health priorities visible, even as international funding becomes more uncertain and public trust in institutions fluctuates.
Yacine Djibo, Founder and Executive Director of Speak Up Africa, framed the initiative as a way to convert the credibility of sport into lasting social impact.
Yacine Djibo
“Africa has the leadership, credibility, and community trust needed to end polio and malaria,”
he said, adding that the platform uses the power of football to mobilize partners and sustain momentum where it matters most.
Kick Out Polio Campaign Targets Final Eradication Phase
A central feature of the Africa Cup of Nations health campaign was the promotion of the Kick Out Polio initiative. While Africa was certified free of wild poliovirus in 2020, health authorities continue to monitor and respond to outbreaks of variant strains in several countries.
The campaign draws on football’s emphasis on teamwork and shared responsibility, encouraging families and governments to ensure every child receives routine immunization. Football ambassadors and cultural figures are supporting the message to reinforce predictable financing and political commitment.
Fatma Samoura, former Secretary General of FIFA, highlighted the role of sport in building confidence in public health systems.
Fatma Samoura
“Sport speaks a language everyone understands,”
she said, noting that football’s unifying power can help build trust and protect the futures of Africa’s children.
Public Health Focus at AFCON
| Polio Eradication | Promoting vaccination coverage and sustained political commitment to eliminate remaining variant outbreaks. |
| Malaria Elimination | Mobilizing leadership and financing to reduce preventable deaths, especially among children under five. |
| Community Engagement | Using sport to strengthen public trust and participation in health initiatives. |
| Continental Partnerships | Linking African Union and regional actors with civil society and global health organizations. |
Zero Malaria Football Club Mobilizes Continental Advocacy
The event also highlighted the Zero Malaria Football Club, an alliance launched in 2023 by football figures Luís Figo and Khalilou Fadiga. The group supports the African Union-led Zero Malaria Starts with Me movement and works alongside the RBM Partnership to End Malaria.
With malaria remaining one of the continent’s most lethal yet preventable diseases, advocates emphasized the need for sustained international and domestic financing. The football club serves as a bridge between policymakers, private partners, and community leaders, keeping the issue visible on national and regional agendas.
Luís Figo described the initiative as a collective effort grounded in the values of the sport.
Luís Figo
“This is a match we can, and must, win,”
he said, stressing the importance of discipline and teamwork in the fight against malaria.
Partnership with Tibu Africa Extends Community Reach
As part of the Rabat activation, Speak Up Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tibu Africa, a pan-African organization that uses sport to promote education and social inclusion. The partnership is intended to anchor advocacy efforts in long-term, community-based programs.
By working with local actors, the two organizations plan to roll out joint initiatives that integrate health education into youth sports and grassroots activities. This approach reflects a broader continental strategy that links public health outcomes with social development, trade participation, and human capital growth.
Hicham El Amrani, former Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football, underscored the broader responsibility of football institutions.
Hicham El Amrani
“Football is not only a sport, it is a social responsibility,”
he said, calling on federations to place their reach and credibility at the service of public health.
Moving Forward
The Africa Cup of Nations health campaign marks the beginning of a recurring platform that will follow Africa’s sports calendar, keeping polio eradication and malaria elimination in public view.
By embedding health advocacy in high-profile events, organizers aim to maintain political attention and community engagement across North, West, East, Southern, and Central Africa.
As funding pressures and global uncertainties persist, the Rabat activation demonstrated how African-led leadership and regional partnerships can align sport, policy, and public trust.
The initiative’s expansion across the continent will test whether the influence of football can continue to translate into measurable health outcomes for communities most at risk.
Sources: Speak Up Africa press release, APO Group distribution, African Union Zero Malaria Starts with Me initiative, and RBM Partnership to End Malaria.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
