The African School Games – A Continental Catalyst for Youth Development through Sport and Education

From 26 July to 5 August 2025, the cities of Constantine, Sétif, Skikda, and Annaba in Algeria will host over 3,000 young athletes from 44 African nations for the inaugural African School Games. This historic event marks more than a continental sporting competition. It represents a bold and visionary step towards fulfilling the promise of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and advancing the role of sport as a powerful tool for development and peace.

The Youth Charter views the African School Games not simply as an athletic gathering, but as a living legacy of opportunity and platform to drive social, cultural, and economic transformation for the youth of Africa. It is a model of how education and sport can work in tandem to address inequality, develop talent, and build peaceful, inclusive societies.

Athletes aged 14 to 17, many of them first-time travellers outside their home countries, will not only compete in 25 disciplines, including 3x3 basketball, skateboarding, and traditional African sports but also engage in cross-cultural exchanges that foster understanding and unity across a historically fragmented continent. This celebration of diversity through sport aligns directly with SDG 4.7, which promotes education for global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity.

Importantly, the African School Games are not an end in themselves, but a launchpad for further opportunities. With the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on the horizon, these games offer a tangible pathway of progression, one where young people can dream beyond borders, be supported through structured sport and education systems, and be connected to a wider ecosystem of personal and community development.

Algeria’s decision to cover the full participation costs of the 3,000 athletes sends a strong signal of pan-African solidarity. It removes financial barriers and upholds the principle of equal access to opportunity, a core tenet of SDG 4. To build on this commitment, the Youth Charter calls for the establishment of an African School Games Legacy Programme, underpinned by a Sport for Development Fund and a Community Campus Network across the continent. These localised hubs would integrate sport, education, culture, and enterprise to ensure the legacy of the games endures long after the final whistle.

Moreover, the event should serve as a catalyst for youth employment and skill-building in sport administration, coaching, media, health and wellness, and event management. By investing in the holistic development of young people both on and off the field, the Africa School Games can contribute to SDGs 8 (Decent Work), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

In conclusion, the African School Games are a defining moment for the continent’s youth. Through the Youth Charter's values, legacy framework, and Community Campus Model, this initiative can embed sustainable impact, bridging the gap between grassroots participation and elite opportunity, between aspiration and action, and between a continent’s past challenges and its future potential.

NB: This model is adaptable to different national geopolitical structures