Tennis Kenya (TK) President  Wanjiru Karani celebrates with  women players and their coach Francis Rogoi  in a recent event / HANDOUT 

Eight African nations will converge in Nairobi from June 17-20 for the Davis Cup Africa Group IV tournament, with promotion at stake as Kenya seeks to capitalise on home advantage and strengthen its position as a leading tennis nation on the continent.

The four-day competition, often referred to as the World Cup of Tennis, returns to Nairobi after a six-year absence and will be held at Nairobi Club.

Hosts, Kenya, will compete alongside Algeria, Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, with the draw set for June 16 before teams are split into two pools. Speaking during the launch, Tennis Kenya director Francis Mutuku described the event as a major boost meant to enhance player development and elevate Kenya’s profile as a destination for international tennis.

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Mutuku credited the government and the Ministry of Sports for supporting the federation’s development agenda and helping secure hosting rights. “Kenya requested to host, and the ministry approved. The government has also supported exchange programmes for players and officials, which we greatly appreciate,” said Mutuku.

The tournament carries added significance for Kenya’s men’s team, which is eyeing promotion from Africa Group IV. The top-performing nations will move up to Africa Group III, while the lowest-ranked teams face relegation.

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Mutuku explained that countries must progress through several levels before reaching the elite World Group. “We are in Africa Group IV. If you do well, you get promoted to Africa Group III and then the Euro-Africa level before eventually reaching the World Group, where the top nations compete,” he said.

With promotion on the line, Mutuku believes hosting the tournament in Nairobi could provide Kenya with a crucial advantage. “Our team being able to play on home ground is a big advantage, and we hope fans show up to support them,” he said.

In a statement, TK vice-president Martha Tirop said the tournament’s return reflects the country’s growing capacity to host major international events. “This marks a major return of continental Davis Cup to Nairobi after a six-year hiatus,” said Karani.

Tirop noted that the competition will allow Kenyan players to compete on home soil while exposing emerging talent to high-level international competition. Beyond the players, the federation expects the event to contribute to technical development by providing experience for coaches, umpires, line judges, and ball kids.

“The event creates jobs at different levels, including court maintenance and officiating. Those introduced as line judges begin a pathway of technical growth within the sport,” said Mutuku. He said they are also pursuing long-term partnerships to improve infrastructure and technical capacity.

The tournament will also feature youth clinics and coaching programmes. “We see the Davis Cup as a chance to grow tennis at the community level. Families and schools will have an opportunity to experience international tennis and develop a deeper appreciation for the sport,” said Tirop. The federation recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the French Tennis Federation following engagements at the Africa Forward Summit.