The African leg of the King’s Baton Relay began in Sierra Leone, where the streets of Freetown came alive with music, colour and national pride as communities lined the route to celebrate the start of the continent’s journey toward Glasgow 2026. From Freetown’s coastline to Mamoi Village near Kenema, the Baton’s passage connected cultures and communities, honouring the country’s heritage through traditional dance and symbols such as the Soweimask and the Nomoli figure. The spirit of unity extended beyond celebration as local volunteers joined the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign, collecting waste from rivers and beaches as part of Africa’s growing contribution to the protection of shared environments.

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In Nigeria, the Baton’s arrival from 27 June to 2 July drew national attention. Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Senator George Akume reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Commonwealth’s values. “The arrival of the King’s Baton is a testament to our dedication to the Commonwealth family and the shared values it represents,” he said. “This relay is more than just a ceremonial event; it is a celebration of our rich cultural heritage, vibrant diversity, and boundless potential.”

Across Uganda, the Relay inspired athletes and communities alike as it travelled through Kampala. Boxer Kassim Murungi described the honour of being a Batonbearer: “This is a big honour for me to have carried the King’s Baton. The special moment further motivates me in my career.” The UK’s Deputy High Commissioner to Uganda, Tiffany Kirlew, added: “The King’s Baton Relay transcends sport. It is a movement weaving together community pride, creative expression, and environmental responsibility.”

In Kenya, the Baton’s journey was marked by energy and reflection. Commonwealth Games Association President Dr Paul Tergat said, “The King’s Baton Relay reminds us of the power of sport to bridge divides, celebrate our shared identity, and spark hope across nations.” Basketball player George Darril Omondi, who represented Kenya in 3×3 basketball at Birmingham 2022, added: “In 2022 we made a debut, but now heading into 2026, basketball has grown so big. We’re building forward with purpose.”

The King’s Baton Relay continued through Cameroon, greeted by crowds in Yaoundé as it was unveiled in the green, red and yellow of the national flag. The Baton’s design reflected the nation’s four cultural zones and celebrated Cameroon’s rich diversity. Over the following days it travelled to Douala for ceremonies, youth sport sessions and a clean-up along the River Wouri. Speaking during the event, British diplomat Robert Fitzpatrick said the arrival of the Baton was “a celebration of the ideals that bind us together, friendship, inclusion and a collective vision for a brighter future.”

Coastal clean-ups and community spirit defined Tanzania’s Baton journey, which began on 2 August at Msasani Beach. More than five hundred volunteers collected over 2,300 plastic bottles, 2,120 kilograms of nylon fishing nets and 840 kilograms of mixed waste as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign. In Kibaha, Commonwealth champion Filbert Bayi, who won gold at the 1974 Commonwealth Games, held the Baton once more at his OlympAfrica Centre, encouraging students to chase their ambitions in sport and in life.

In Ghana, celebrations highlighted the nation’s commitment to sport, culture and environmental action. The Ghana Olympic Committee organised plastic clean-ups, school and community engagements, and courtesy visits to traditional leaders and dignitaries. Senior officials, including the Chief of Staff, the Chief Justice, the British High Commissioner and the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, joined activities across Accra. Commonwealth Sport Ghana President Richard Akpokavie said the event was “a major opportunity to exhibit Ghana’s cultural depth while contributing to a global cause.”

Eswatini’s six-day celebration brought together culture, sport and community spirit. It opened with a welcome dinner hosted by British High Commissioner Colin Wells, then moved to Mbabane, where schoolchildren lined the streets to welcome the Baton into the Prince of Wales Stadium. The journey ended at Mantenga Cultural Village with song, dance and storytelling, and a community clean-up led by the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign.

In Malawi, the Baton’s journey began in Lilongwe with the unveiling of a design by visual mouth artist Chrisford Chayera. His work featured national symbols including Lake Malawi, the Chambo fish, Baobab trees and the Gule Wamkulu dance. In Salima, a community clean-up linked local pride with sustainability, as volunteers recycled plastic waste through Cool Projects. Vice President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Malawi, Major General Francis Kakhuta Banda, said the Baton offered Malawi a platform to showcase its sporting talent, cultural heritage and environmental commitment to the world.

The King’s Baton Relay arrived in Zambia, uniting athletes, schools and communities in celebration of sport and sustainability. Designed by Lusaka artist Samuel Mwambazi, the Baton featured Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River and Zambia’s wildlife. Vice President Dr W. K. Mutale Nalumango received it from Minister Elvis Nkandu and CGA President Alfred Foloko, while former champions Samuel Matete and Patrick Chinyemba joined young athletes to carry it through Lusaka and Kafue.

In Mozambique, creativity took centre stage as students and teachers from the National School of Visual Arts transformed the Baton’s route into a living artwork. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Youth and Sport, Sílvia Langa, Director-General of the Fundo de Promoção Desportiva (Sports Promotion Fund), said the celebration was “about strengthening peace, fraternity, and the greatest values of sport.”

Across Mauritius, the Relay celebrated the island’s culture, creativity and commitment to sustainability. It began with a beach clean-up at Le Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site symbolising freedom and resilience, where volunteers collected 8,228 pieces of litter as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign. At the British High Commission in Port Louis, High Commissioner Paul Brummell joined athletes and officials to mark the Relay’s visit, highlighting Mauritius’s enduring friendship with the Commonwealth.

In South Africa, the Baton carried the spirit of Ubuntu through culture, sport and sustainability. The country’s special Baton design drew on national colours, a Protea-inspired silhouette and clasped hands symbolising “I am because we are,” reflecting the essence of Ubuntu. The Relay began with a showcase at Olympic House in Johannesburg, before continuing with a multi-sport day in Polokwane, a river clean-up and a canoe relay in KwaZulu-Natal, as communities came together to promote teamwork, integrity and care for the environment.

From Gaborone to Maun, Botswana’s leg of the Relay linked sport with conservation and community pride. Athletes, schoolchildren and dignitaries joined a symbolic walk led by Commonwealth Sport Botswana President Colonel Botsang Tshenyego and British High Commissioner Giles Enticknap. A clean-up along the Thamalakane River, led by local group Wild Entrust, underscored Botswana’s environmental commitment.

Namibia’s celebrations began along the coast before moving inland to Windhoek. In Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, Olympian Phillip Seidler surfed with the Baton before leading a beach clean-up with Ocean Conservation Namibia as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign. In Windhoek, Olympian Beatrice Masilingi carried the Baton through the city, while Anri Parker, Chief Executive of the NNOC & CGA, described the Relay as “a powerful symbol of unity and diversity of the Commonwealth of Nations.”

Six days in Lesotho linked heritage and conservation, from the Royal Palace welcome for the Baton to youth sports and a river clean-up with ReNOKA near the Mohokare. The Baton design highlighted national symbols including the Basotho blanket, Seshoeshoe fabric and the Mokorotlo hat.

In Gabon, the Relay centred on Tropicana Beach, where the Gabon NOC partnered with Projet Tortues Tahiti Gabon for sea-turtle protection awareness, recycling workshops and a shoreline clean-up that brought together athletes, students and community groups.

The Baton’s six-day journey through The Gambia captured the warmth and energy of the Smiling Coast of Africa. From President Adama Barrow’s handover at MacCarthy Square to a large-scale coastal clean-up led by WasteAid The Gambia as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign, athletes, schoolchildren and volunteers came together to celebrate sport and sustainability. British High Commissioner Harriet King summed up the spirit of the occasion, saying, “Many Batons, one message, a powerful symbol of unity.”

Across the Seychelles, on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, the Relay tied sport to marine stewardship, from canoeing at Cap Ternay Marine Park to clean-ups at Beau Vallon and a schools-led procession through Vallée de Mai before finishing at Anse Source d’Argent.

In Rwanda, the King’s Baton Relay reached the final stop of the African leg at Lake Kivu in Rubavu District. Communities, athletes and students joined a beach clean-up as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign, followed by a 3x3 basketball event promoting youth and gender inclusion. Batonbearers Eric Muhoza and Claire Uwitonze led the activities alongside British High Commissioner Alison Thorpe. Rwanda NOC President Alice Umulinga urged young athletes to “keep training hard and continuously improve your performance so that one day we can see you shine on global stages.”

From Sierra Leone’s shoreline to Rwanda’s rolling hills, the Baton’s African journey became a thread of unity, woven from the voices of athletes, the rhythm of communities and the shared belief that sport can light a path toward peace and progress.