Nigeria will host the 17th edition of the prestigious All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) in 2026.
The AACT is a biennial continental ladies’ golf championship in Africa that held its inaugural edition in May 1992 in Zimbabwe.
Nigeria had previously hosted the AACT twice, first in 1996 at the Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos, and again in 2010 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, in Abuja. The 2026 edition will also be hosted at the IBB International Golf and Country Club.
Speaking to journalists, Evelyn Oyome, President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, who was the leader of the Nigerian delegation to the championship’s 16th edition in Morocco in 2024, said Nigeria emerged winner amongst the 20 countries that bidded for the hosting.
“Nigeria had earlier hosted the West, Central Africa Challenge Trophy, a regional version of the AACT, in October last year (2023) at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate and Resort in Lagos, showcasing its outstanding golfing facilities, with no fewer than 10 countries participating. Our hosting that championship successfully last year gave us the edge amongst so many other countries that also bidded (for the AACT) and winning was a huge victory for Nigeria,” she said.
Oyome confirmed that the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja would be the host city for the AACT 2026 edition, with no fewer than 30 countries expected to participate in the championship.
“The FCT met all the criteria for a host city, and it will be a great opportunity to welcome the whole of Africa into the nation’s capital. The AACT is a great opportunity to promote Nigeria. It is indeed equivalent to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in football,” she said.
Morocco for the first time hosted the AACT 16th edition on the Golf de Tazegzout in Agadir from November 28 to 30, 2024. The Moroccan national women’s team emerged winners, underlining the great strides in Moroccan golf in recent years.
Nigeria will be aspiring to achieve a similar feat of “Hosting to Win” the AACT championship in 2026. South Africa are the most successful country in the history of the event, being holders of 14 of the 15 editions held so far.
