Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan held high-level talks with former Ivory Coast international and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba on May 5, 2026, at the State House in Chamwino, Dodoma.
The meeting brought together the East African leader and one of Africa’s most celebrated football icons, in discussions aimed at strengthening sports development and raising Tanzania’s global sporting profile.
According to reports, the engagement forms part of Tanzania’s broader preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the country will co-host alongside Uganda and Kenya.
During the talks, President Samia invited Drogba to play a key ambassadorial role ahead of the continental tournament.
Officials indicated that the football legend is expected to support efforts to promote the event internationally and attract greater attention and investment to the region’s sporting initiatives.
Beyond the ambassadorial role, discussions also focused on knowledge-sharing in sports development, particularly in the establishment and management of football academies.
The President directed Tanzania’s Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports to work closely with Drogba to leverage his international experience in nurturing young talent and strengthening grassroots football structures.
Drogba, a former captain of the Ivory Coast and a globally recognised figure in football, welcomed the engagement and expressed willingness to collaborate with Tanzania in advancing sports development.
The meeting underscores Tanzania’s growing use of sports diplomacy as it positions itself—and the wider East African region—for a successful AFCON 2027 tournament, which is expected to boost tourism, infrastructure development, and international visibility.