Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda are developing a joint visa arrangement to make it easier for football supporters to travel between the three countries during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as East Africa prepares to host the continent’s biggest football tournament.

Rebecca Kadaga, chairperson of the East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers, announced the initiative during an inspection of the Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium in Tanzania by members of the East African Legislative Assembly.

Kadaga, who is also Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, said the proposed framework would facilitate cross-border movement, allowing supporters to attend matches in different host countries and explore tourist attractions during the competition.

The plan is expected to create opportunities for hotels, transport operators, tour companies and other businesses by encouraging visitors to travel across the region rather than remain in a single host country.

The proposed arrangement is still being developed, with details of the visa requirements and implementation yet to be finalised.

An East African Legislative Assembly member, Abdullah Makame, said the effectiveness of the scheme would depend on the final conditions and how consistently they were implemented at border crossings.

The initiative forms part of broader preparations for AFCON 2027, which will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

The tournament will be the first edition of AFCON to be staged across three countries, presenting the host nations with an opportunity to expand regional tourism, strengthen cooperation and attract international visitors.

The proposed joint visa is expected to be an important part of efforts to simplify travel for supporters who may need to cross national borders to follow their teams throughout the competition.

During the inspection in Tanzania, the delegation was informed that construction of the Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium had reached about 95 per cent completion. The facility is designed to accommodate approximately 32,500 spectators.

The three countries are also working towards delivering the infrastructure and visitor services required to host the tournament, including stadiums, accommodation, transport and other essential facilities.

The success of the visa initiative will depend on the agreement reached by the three governments and the practical arrangements put in place before the competition begins.

If implemented effectively, the scheme could make it easier for international supporters to combine football matches with tourism across East Africa, extending the economic benefits of AFCON 2027 beyond the stadiums.