Egypt claimed the 2026 African women’s volleyball title on Friday, ending a 23-year wait with a 3-0 sweep of hosts Kenya in the final at Kasarani Arena and booking Africa’s place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The visitors took the match 25-21, 25-15, 25-15 to lift a fourth continental crown, matching earlier successes in 1976, 1989 and 2003 and putting North African volleyball back on top of the continent. Kenya pressed in the opening set but could not break Egypt’s organisation. Once that set went 25-21, Egypt raised the tempo and closed the last two frames 25-15, 25-15, sending their players, officials and supporters into celebration.
The Olympic ticket made the night even bigger, giving Egypt a route back onto the Olympic volleyball stage in Los Angeles. FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, CAVB President Bouchra Hajij (also an FIVB vice-president) and Egypt’s ambassador to Kenya, Hatem Yousry, were among those in the stands as the team completed the double.
Cameroon took bronze with a 3-0 win over Rwanda, 25-17, 25-16, 25-19. The three-time African champions controlled the contest from the start and never let Rwanda find a way back. For Rwanda, reaching the medal match still marked a strong campaign, even if a first African title remains out of reach.
Kenya hosted the championship from August 23 to September 5, with 16 nations competing for the continental crown and a path toward Los Angeles. Egypt left Nairobi as African champions after 23 years and already on the road to 2028.
