The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially launched a Request for Information (RFI) for potential suppliers ahead of the upcoming procurement process for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.

The tournament will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania under the “PAMOJA” arrangement.

According to information shared by CAF and confirmed by Uganda’s AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee (LOC), the RFI is not a tender, request for proposal, or quotation. Instead, it is a preliminary market mapping exercise aimed at identifying and registering potential service providers across Africa.

CAF said the exercise will help build a database of suppliers who may later be invited to participate in formal tenders once procurement opportunities are officially released.

The categories of interest include a wide range of services such as catering, ticketing systems, transport and logistics, broadcasting support, information technology solutions, branding and signage, hospitality services, digital platforms, and translation services, Event operations, Fan Zones management, Concession management service, Equipment and general supplies.

Uganda’s LOC communications officials have clarified that the current process is strictly a CAF procurement exercise and is not linked to immediate domestic contracting. The LOC is expected to issue a separate call for information at a later stage for services to be executed within Uganda.

Dr. Dennis Mugimba, a senior communications official within Uganda’s AFCON 2027 LOC structures, emphasized that only suppliers who complete registration through CAF’s official website will be eligible for future tender notifications.

He noted that firms failing to participate in the RFI phase may not be considered when formal tenders are eventually released.

Dr. Mugimba also urged businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector, including hotels, apartments, guest houses, and private accommodation providers, to begin preparing for accreditation through the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).

He said this is particularly important for those seeking to host visitors during the tournament period, as compliance and accreditation will play a key role in service eligibility.

CAF also confirmed that no fees are required to participate in the registration process.

The RFI marks an early stage in AFCON 2027 preparations, with major infrastructure and operational planning expected to intensify as the tournament approaches.

Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania are currently progressing with stadium and facility preparations as part of their joint hosting commitments.