ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier 2021/22

ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Region Qualifier serves as the final continental qualification stage for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the tournament operates within a hierarchical structure that sits below the Sub-Regional Qualifiers and above the Global Qualifier. Teams competing in this event aim to secure a place in the global tournament or the subsequent global qualification stage, depending on the specific cycle's allocation.

The competition underwent a significant structural change in 2021 when it adopted a consolidated format hosted in Rwanda. This revision replaced the previous split Sub-Regional structure, streamlining the pathway for African associate nations. The current setup involves eight teams divided into two groups of four. The top two sides from each group advance to semi-finals and a final. Matches are played at neutral venues to ensure fairness across the region.

Historical results highlight the competitive nature of the event. Uganda won the 2021 edition, while Namibia secured victories in 2023 and 2025. The 2025 final, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, saw Zimbabwe defeat Namibia to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup. This achievement places Namibia as the most successful team in the modern era of the tournament.

The qualifier distinguishes itself from domestic franchise tournaments such as the Africa T20 Cup, which features provincial teams and guest national sides organized by Cricket South Africa. It is also separate from the Africa Cup, which is not an official ICC national team tournament name. Participation involves nations such as Namibia, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Botswana, and Malawi. Success in this competition grants promotion, while failure results in relegation to the Sub-Regional Qualifiers for the next cycle. The tournament remains the primary pathway for African associate nations to reach the global stage.