Africa will soon have four new Olympic-sized swimming pools, thanks to a groundbreaking agreement signed in Algiers on March 14, 2025. The deal, made between the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ACNOA), World Aquatics, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), aims to boost aquatic sports across the continent. The four pools will be built in Angola, Rwanda, Cape Verde, and Lesotho, while Senegal’s existing pool will also be upgraded ahead of the Youth Olympic Games in 2026.
Four Pools for Africa
The new initiative was finalized at the 22nd General Assembly of ACNOA, held at the “Abdelatif Rahal” International Conference Center in Algiers. This event saw key figures such as ACNOA President Mustapha Berraf, World Aquatics President Hussein Ali Muslim, and a representative from the IOC gather to witness the signing of the agreement. The agreement is expected to transform the landscape of African swimming and aquatic sports, with new infrastructure and development programs focused on the region.
The four Olympic swimming pools will be located in Angola, Rwanda, Cape Verde, and Lesotho. These countries have long been in need of proper aquatic facilities to support the development of athletes. In addition, Senegal will upgrade its existing pool to ensure it is ready for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which will be hosted in the capital, Dakar.
Promoting Aquatic Sports Across Africa
World Aquatics President Hussein Ali Muslim shared his excitement about the agreement, emphasizing its importance for the future of African aquatic sports. “We signed this agreement to promote aquatic sports across Africa,” Muslim said. “This is more than just about building swimming pools. This is a comprehensive program that will also offer training for coaches and workshops for athletes. If we succeed, we will see African athletes competing at the highest level, including at the Olympic Games and World Championships.”
Muslim highlighted the broader goals of the initiative, which include the development of infrastructure and coaching in countries that have not had access to such resources. As part of the program, international coaches will be appointed in disciplines such as swimming, diving, water polo, and rhythmic gymnastics. These coaches will work closely with local national coaches to ensure the training is aligned with international standards.
“The costs for these initiatives will be covered by the International Federation,” Muslim added, reassuring participants that financial support is already secured. This partnership between international organizations aims to level the playing field and provide African athletes with the necessary tools to excel.
Boosting Unity and Opportunities for African Athletes
ACNOA President Mustapha Berraf praised the agreement, calling it a significant step forward for the continent’s sporting community. He stated that the new pools would be vital in helping African athletes reach their potential. “This agreement will not only create new facilities but also strengthen the unity of the African sports movement, especially among the youth,” Berraf said. “This will give young African swimmers the chance to train in world-class facilities and help develop the next generation of champions.”
Berraf also underscored the role of the new pools in supporting the preparation of athletes for major international events. “The construction of these swimming pools is a major step in improving aquatic sports across Africa. We’ve also proposed the construction of a new pool in Dakar, specifically to support the preparation of athletes for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games,” Berraf said.
The Importance of Infrastructure and Training
The new pools will not just serve as competition venues but will also become training centers for future Olympic and World Championship athletes. By ensuring African countries have access to high-quality aquatic infrastructure, the program aims to address the long-standing gap in competitive swimming facilities on the continent.
In addition to constructing pools, the initiative will focus heavily on coaching and athlete development. Muslim noted that workshops, study sessions, and coaching clinics would be central to the program, providing local coaches with new skills and strategies to pass on to the athletes they train.
This long-term strategy is expected to elevate the level of aquatic sports in Africa, creating a new generation of skilled athletes who can compete at the highest levels of international competition.
The signing of this agreement marks a new chapter for aquatic sports in Africa. With the construction of four new Olympic-sized swimming pools and the upgrade of Senegal’s pool, African athletes will soon have the infrastructure they need to succeed on the world stage. Through continued collaboration between ACNOA, World Aquatics, and the IOC, the future of aquatic sports in Africa looks brighter than ever.
