The 2026 CAVB Women’s African Nations Volleyball Championship has burst into life in Nairobi, with Egypt, Cameroon, Uganda and Rwanda making strong starts as Africa’s top women’s volleyball nations battle for continental supremacy.

Egypt opened their Pool B campaign in emphatic fashion, sweeping Burkina Faso 3-0 (25-3, 25-15, 25-15) at the Kasarani Indoor Arena on Tuesday.

Uganda also made a winning start in Pool B, defeating Senegal 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-16) to join Egypt at the top of the group.

In Pool C, Cameroon underlined their credentials with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Ghana, winning 25-16, 25-20 and 25-14.

Rwanda completed the day’s impressive performances with a straight-sets victory over Algeria in Pool D, winning 25-22, 25-20 and 25-16.

The championship features 16 nations divided into four pools. Hosts and defending champions Kenya headline Pool A alongside Mali and Zambia, while Egypt, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Senegal make up Pool B.

Pool C features Cameroon, Nigeria, Tunisia and Ghana, with Rwanda, Algeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi drawn together in Pool D.

Attention now turns to the hosts, with Kenya’s Malkia Strikers set to launch their title defence at 7pm against Zambia at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.

Kenya are seeking to retain the title they won in 2023 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, but face strong competition from traditional continental rivals Egypt and Cameroon, who have already demonstrated their intentions with convincing opening victories.

The tournament carries significant stakes beyond the African crown. The champions will earn Africa’s sole qualification place for the women’s volleyball competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, while the three highest-placed eligible teams will qualify for the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Championship.

The 14-day championship, running from August 23 to September 5, is being staged in Nairobi, with Kasarani Indoor Arena and Ulinzi Complex hosting the continental showpiece.