KAMPALA — Ugandan businesses have been urged to position themselves for what officials describe as one of the country’s biggest economic opportunities in recent history after the Uganda Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 announced the opening of supplier registration ahead of the continental football showpiece.
Addressing journalists in Kampala on Wednesday at the Uganda Media center,the AFCON Uganda Local Organising Committee said qualified and reputable firms across the country are now invited to register for pre-qualification to participate in the procurement of goods and services that will support Uganda’s hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania under the PAMOJA initiative.
The announcement marks another milestone in Uganda’s preparations for AFCON 2027, a tournament expected to attract thousands of visitors, investors, sports enthusiasts and media organizations from across Africa and beyond.
According to the LOC, the pre-qualification exercise is aimed at building a database of potential suppliers that will later be invited to bid for various tenders expected to be rolled out beginning September and October 2026.
“Expression of interest and registration is entirely free of charge,” the committee emphasized, cautioning businesses against falling prey to fraudsters who may seek to exploit the process.
The committee noted that interested service providers can submit their details through the official registration portal and that the ongoing exercise, which commenced at the start of July, is expected to close at the end of the month, although the LOC reserves the right to extend the deadline if necessary.
Officials said the opportunities cut across a wide range of sectors, underscoring AFCON’s potential to stimulate economic activity beyond football.
Among the sectors expected to benefit are hospitality, catering, transport and logistics, information and communication technology, media and communications, digital engagement, branding, medical services, safety and security, event management, consultancy, documentary production, fan park management, souvenir production, and office supplies.
Analysts say the tournament could provide a major boost to Uganda’s private sector, particularly small and medium enterprises seeking to expand their footprint through high-profile contracts linked to the continental competition.
The LOC, however, stressed that only businesses that satisfy strict eligibility requirements will make it onto the shortlist. To qualify, firms must be legally registered in Uganda, registered with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), tax compliant, financially sound, and free from records of litigation or non-performance.
“Only potential service providers who have been pre-qualified by the LOC shall be contacted to submit proposals once the LOC launches its tenders,” the committee said.
The committee further revealed that procurement will be conducted in line with CAF’s Procurement Policy and Uganda’s obligations under the AFCON PAMOJA 2027 Host Agreement, a move intended to ensure transparency, competitiveness, and value for money.
Nevertheless, officials clarified that not all opportunities connected to AFCON 2027 will be handled by the Uganda LOC. Certain services—including ticketing, television rights, and broadcasting—will be procured directly by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as single suppliers across the three host nations.
Similarly, procurement for projects and services being implemented by government ministries, departments and agencies will remain under the jurisdiction of the respective institutions and not the Local Organising Committee.
The latest announcement comes amid heightened preparations for AFCON 2027, with Uganda accelerating infrastructure development, including stadium upgrades, transport improvements and hospitality readiness as the East African Community prepares to jointly host the tournament for the first time in history.
Uganda is expected to host a number of matches during the month-long championship, an event government officials believe will leave behind a lasting legacy through improved infrastructure, tourism promotion, job creation and increased investment.
Dr. Dennis K. Mugimba, Chairperson of the Communications and Promotion Sub-Committee of the Uganda Local Organising Committee, said the supplier registration exercise is intended to ensure that Ugandan companies are not left behind as preparations gather momentum.
With tenders expected to begin in the coming months, businesses are now racing against time to position themselves for contracts that could define their growth trajectory long after the final whistle is blown in 2027.
For many entrepreneurs, AFCON PAMOJA 2027 is no longer just a football tournament—it is emerging as a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity.
