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Investing in People, Institutions and Systems to Shape the Future of Physical Activity and Sport Ecosystems

About national

SUMMIT ON MENTAL

WELLNESS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & SPORT 2026

Why Mental Wellness Matters

A NATIONAL CONVERSATION WITH A CONTINENTAL VISION

The Summit begins with a national conversation but carries a broader African ambition. As Africa’s sports ecosystem continues to grow, there is an opportunity to ensure that investment in sport creates lasting value beyond competitions and major sporting events.

With Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania preparing to host AFCON 2027, the Summit provides a timely opportunity to consider how sporting momentum can contribute to stronger communities, healthier populations, empowered young people and resilient institutions.

This is not simply about the next tournament. It is about the generations that come after it.

WHO IS THE SUMMIT FOR?

The Summit welcomes the people and institutions shaping the future of physical activity and sport:

Everyone who has a role in building healthier people and stronger sporting ecosystems has a place at the table.

FROM NAIROBI TO ACTION

The Summit will seek to deliver practical outcomes that continue beyond the two-day event, including:

THE NAIROBI SPORTS & PHYSICAL WELLNESS DECLARATION

A shared commitment towards healthier, safer, more inclusive and sustainable sport and physical activity ecosystems.

SPORTS & PHYSICAL WELLNESS ACTION ROADMAP

A practical framework connecting priorities with responsible institutions, timelines, resources and measurable indicators.

PARTNERSHIP & INVESTMENT PIPELINE

Connecting promising programmes and solutions with government, private sector, philanthropy, development partners and investors.

POST-SUMMIT IMPLEMENTATION PLATFORM

Tracking commitments, partnerships, programmes, research, investment and progress beyond the Summit.

THE MOVEMENT STARTS HERE

Whether you are an athlete seeking a healthier sporting environment, a coach supporting the next generation, a health professional strengthening wellness systems, a policymaker shaping the future, an organisation looking for meaningful partnerships, or an investor seeking solutions with lasting impact—

YOUR VOICE MATTERS. YOUR EXPERTISE MATTERS. YOUR INVESTMENT MATTERS.

Together, we can move from conversation to commitment, from commitment to investment, and from investment to implementation and impact.

LET US BUILD THE FUTURE OF SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TOGETHER.

19–20 NOVEMBER 2026

THE CLOUD HOTEL & SUITES | NAIROBI, KENYA

CONVENED BY

Youth Initiative Development Programme (YIDP) | ISSUP Kenya Chapter | Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM)

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

What We Aim to Achieve Together

Turning shared ideas into meaningful action for healthier, safer and more inclusive sport and physical activity ecosystems.

The Summit brings together people, institutions and partners with a shared responsibility to shape the future of sport and physical activity. Together, we aim to move beyond dialogue and create practical commitments, partnerships and solutions that can deliver lasting impact.

Integrate mental health and psychosocial wellbeing into everyday sport, physical activity and athlete development.

Strengthen safeguarding, Safe Sport, protection, gender equality, disability inclusion and equitable participation.

Promote healthy and active lifestyles while strengthening access to sports medicine, nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and holistic wellness support.

Build the knowledge, skills and capacity of athletes, coaches, educators, health professionals, sports leaders and other people who support the sporting ecosystem.

Promote African research, knowledge, data, technology and responsible innovation to improve physical and mental wellness outcomes.

Support stronger governance, leadership, accountability, policies and systems that enable people and organisations to thrive.

Connect government, sport, health, education, private sector, development partners, philanthropy, communities and innovators around shared solutions.

Shift from short-term interventions towards long-term investment in people, institutions, programmes and systems that can deliver sustainable impact.

Develop the Nairobi Sports & Physical Wellness Declaration and an Action Roadmap that translate Summit commitments into measurable action.