ROAD TO ABUJA 2026 AACT- SERIES ONE

15 september 2026

Africa’s Women’s Golf Showcase

Abuja is poised to become the centre of African women’s golf as more than 40 countries prepare to converge on Nigeria for the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), one of the continent’s premier women’s amateur golf championships.

The tournament is scheduled for November 1–7, 2026, at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja, placing Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory at the heart of a week-long celebration of sporting excellence, unity and continental pride.

Founded in 1992 by the late Tessa Covell, then President of the Zimbabwe Women’s Golf Union, the AACT was created to provide African women golfers with a continental platform to compete, develop their skills and raise the overall standard of women’s golf.

The idea of the tournament was mooted by Covell, with the reasoning that "none of the African countries were realistically able to compete in the World Championships, the Espirito Santo – their golfing standards simply needed a home-grown training ground, rotating within the geographical area".

The inaugural edition was held in 1992 in Zimbabwe

More than three decades later, the biennial championship has evolved into an important symbol of African golf, bringing together players from different countries and cultures while allowing them to compete under the international rules of the Royal and Ancient (R&A).

Beyond the competition, the AACT provides an opportunity for participants to share experiences, learn from one another and appreciate the diverse customs, traditions and cultures that make up the continent.

The championship is played over three consecutive days using a 54-hole stroke-play format.

Each team comprises three amateur players, guided by a coach or captain, with the best two scores counting towards the team’s total in each round. Players also compete for individual honours, adding another layer of competition to the championship.

The introduction of the Trustees Junior Trophy has further strengthened the tournament’s development agenda. 

The award goes to the under-19 player with the lowest gross score, highlighting the AACT’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of women golfers.

The growth of the championship is also reflected in its expanding field.

The inaugural 1992 edition in Zimbabwe attracted just 12 participants, while the number increased to around 20 teams in 2022 at the Tanzania edition.

The championship has continued to expand, with Morocco hosting the 2024 edition and the competition now attracting significantly greater interest across the continent.

With Nigeria preparing to welcome the continent’s leading women amateur golfers in November, the 2026 AACT promises not only a high-level sporting contest, but also another important chapter in the growth and unity of African women’s golf.

Join us on the journey to Abuja through an exciting series exploring the stories, people and moments shaping the 2026 AACT.

 

Hosts and national team winners

Year       Host            Host course                  Winner
1992  Zimbabwe  Chapman Golf Club           S.Africa
1994  Kenya         Muthaiga Golf Club            S.Africa
1996  Nigeria        Ikoyi Club                           S.Africa
1998  South Africa  Rand Park Club               S.Africa
2000  Uganda      Kitante Golf Course            S.Africa
2002  Cote d’Ivoire Ivoire Golf Club                S.Africa
2004  Namibia     Windhoek Golf Club            S.Africa
2006  Zambia      Lusaka Golf Course            Egypt
2008  Egypt        Katamaya Heights Golf        S.Africa
2010  Nigeria.     IBB International Golf          S.Africa
2012 Botswana    Phakalane Golf Estate        S.Africa
2014  Kenya        Muthaiga Golf Club             S.Africa
2016  Tunisia       Citrus Golf Course               S.Africa
2018  Ghana       Achimota Golf Club             S.Africa
2020  Namibia    Rossmund Golf Club              .......
2022  Tanzania   DSM Gymkhana Club          S.Africa
2024  Morocco   Taghazout Golf Club           Morocco
2026  Nigeria      IBB International Golf               ?

 

INDIVIDUAL WINNERS

Year                               Country represented
1992   Gill Tebbutt                South Africa
1994   Wendy Warrington    South Africa
1996   Michelle Burmester   Zimbabwe
1998   Joanne Norton           South Africa
2000   Natu Soro                   Ivory Coast
2002   Rose Naliaka              Kenya
2004   Lumien Lausberg      South Africa
2006   Naella El Attar            Egypt
2008   Monique Smit            South Africa
2010   Henriette Frylink        South Africa
2012   Kim Williams              South Africa
2014   Michaela Fletcher      South Africa
2016   Samu                         South Africa
2018   Madina Hussein        Tanzania
2020   …………..
2022  Rich Intisar                 Morocco
2024  Sofia Cherif             Morocco