Women's T20 World Cup Africa Division One QLF 2025/26

The Women's T20 World Cup Africa Division One QLF serves as the primary international pathway for African national teams aspiring to reach the global stage. Organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) through ICC Africa, the tournament represents the top tier of a two-division system introduced in 2023. This restructuring replaced the previous single-tier format, creating a clear hierarchy where the top two finishers advance to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, while the lowest-ranked nations face relegation to Division Two.

The competition features eight national sides divided into two groups of four for a round-robin phase. The best two teams from each group progress to the semi-finals, with the ultimate winners securing a spot in the global qualifiers. Zimbabwe Women have established dominance in this era, claiming titles in 2021, 2023/24, and 2025. Namibia Women have consistently finished as runners-up in the most recent editions. The 2025 edition saw participation from Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Promotion from Division Two ensures that teams such as Rwanda and Sierra Leone can reach this elite level.

This event stands apart from domestic competitions like the Africa T20 Cup, which focuses on provincial clubs rather than national squads. The qualifier is strictly for national teams and operates as the official route to the World Cup for the region. Bilateral series lack the structured stakes of this tournament, where every match carries direct consequences for global qualification. The tournament continues to evolve, maintaining its role as the critical stepping stone for Associate members in African cricket.