ADDIS ABABA — As Ethiopia gears up to host the 37th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2029, Culture and Sport Minister Shewit Shanka announced significant strides in upgrading stadium facilities to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, a cornerstone ceremony was held today for a new multi-purpose stadium in Arba Minch city, within the South Ethiopia regional state. This development is part of a broader initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, following Ethiopia’s application to host the prestigious continental tournament. “Preparatory activities will be carried out to ensure that stadiums meet the standards set by CAF,” Shewit emphasized during the ceremony attended by both federal and regional authorities.

The minister detailed that the construction of the stadium in Arba Minch is a critical component of Ethiopia’s commitment to not only hosting AFCON but also enhancing its infrastructure to support national, continental, and international sports events. This, in turn, is expected to boost sports tourism and stimulate local business activities. “The foundation stone for the construction of the multi-purpose stadium has an important role in revitalizing the development of sports in the region,” she added.

Minister Shewit assured that her ministry is dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure the project’s completion by the set timeline, aligning with Ethiopia’s ambitions to showcase its capabilities on a global sports stage.