Key points
- Governing body: the Bowling Federation of Africa, now known as the African Bowling Federation, was inaugurated on 4 April 2018 in Cairo; it is the Africa zone of the International Bowling Federation (IBF).
- Leading nations: Egypt and South Africa, which share the continental titles between them.
- African Games: bowling has been announced on the programme of the 2027 African Games in Egypt.
- Morocco: no national federation and no IBF affiliation yet; competitive bowling there is driven by associations such as the ASBM (Association Sportive du Bowling Marocain, the Moroccan Bowling Sports Association).
The African Bowling Federation
The African Bowling Federation is the body that brings together the continent's national bowling federations. It was inaugurated on 4 April 2018 in Cairo, under the name Bowling Federation of Africa (BFA), under the auspices of the international federation (then called World Bowling). Today it goes by the name African Bowling Federation. It is one of the five zones of the International Bowling Federation, alongside the Europe, Asia, Americas and Oceania zones.
Groundwork for its creation began as early as 2016, when the Tenpin Bowling Association of South Africa (TBASA) helped launch a first continental structure, “World Bowling Africa”.
Its leadership
- 2018 · First board Farouk Haridi (Egypt) is elected president, with Kiley Cassel (South Africa) as vice-president. The executive committee notably includes Khaled Meziou, president of the Tunisian federation.
- Current board General Ahmed Nasr (Egypt), who is also president of the Egyptian federation, chairs the federation, with Charles O. Amofah (Ghana) as vice-president and Ahmed Abdelhamid Gamal (Egypt) as secretary general.
Which African countries bowl competitively?
The number of national federations has grown markedly: the IBF listed 5 African members in 2021, and the African federation reported 11 in 2024, with the goal of reaching 25 countries. Among the active nations mentioned in competitions and governing bodies:
| Country | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Egypt | The continent's driving force: historic seat of the African presidency, host of the 2024 Arab Championship in Cairo (won by Egypt in the women's event) and host country of the 2027 African Games. |
| South Africa | A long-established, well-structured federation (TBASA). Winner of the 1st Africa Nations Cup in 2017 and of the 2024 Africa Zone Championships. An associate member of the European federation since 2023, in order to face a higher level of competition. |
| Tunisia | The Tunisian bowling federation, represented on the African executive committee since 2018. |
| Ghana | A fast-growing federation, holding the vice-presidency of the African federation. |
| Mauritius, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia | Countries represented in African competitions or governing bodies. |
The African bowling championships
Continental competitions are still recent and not yet held on a regular schedule, but they are becoming more structured:
- May 2017 · Johannesburg 1st Tenpin Bowling Africa Nations Cup, with South Africa, Mauritius and Ethiopia. South Africa wins both the men's and women's titles.
- June–July 2024 · Pietermaritzburg Africa Zone Championships: South Africa wins the men's trophy and the combined standings, taking the title back from Egypt; Egypt wins the women's trophy.
- 2027 · Egypt Bowling's announced debut on the African Games programme, a major milestone for the sport's recognition on the continent.
What about the Arab world?
North Africa's Arab countries can also compete against each other under the Arab Bowling Federation. The 11th Arab Men's Championship and the 7th Arab Women's Championship were held in Cairo in November 2024, with around ten countries taking part: Saudi Arabia won the men's cup and Egypt the women's cup. No Maghreb country other than Egypt took part.
Where does Morocco stand?
Morocco does not yet have a national bowling federation and is not among the members of the African federation. The Fédération Royale Marocaine du Sport Boules (Royal Moroccan Federation of Sport Boules), sometimes mentioned by mistake, governs boule lyonnaise and raffa, not bowling.
Yet competitive bowling in Morocco very much exists: since 2007 it has been driven by the ASBM, the country's oldest bowling association, which runs weekly leagues and brings together bowlers from every city around the Intercity Strike Cup. Morocco has modern centres (see the directory of centres), regular bowlers and tournaments open to foreign players: the foundations for a future national structure, and for taking part in African competitions, are in place.
With bowling joining the 2027 African Games, setting up a federation and a national team is becoming a real issue for Moroccan bowling.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an African bowling federation?
Yes. The Bowling Federation of Africa, now known as the African Bowling Federation, was inaugurated on 4 April 2018 in Cairo. It is the Africa zone of the International Bowling Federation.
Which is the best African country at bowling?
Egypt and South Africa dominate African bowling. In 2024, South Africa won the men's and combined titles at the Africa Zone Championships, and Egypt won the women's title.
Will bowling be at the African Games?
Yes, bowling has been announced on the programme of the 2027 African Games, to be held in Egypt.
Is Morocco a member of the African Bowling Federation?
No. Morocco does not yet have a national bowling federation. Competitive bowling there is organised by associations, including the ASBM, founded in 2007.
Sources and references