Africa on the move: sport and culture as bridges for global integration
From South Korea to Germany, sport and culture are establishing themselves as powerful tools for cohesion among African communities abroad. In contexts where distance, language and cultural differences can hinder integration, these events offer spaces for encounter, celebration and collective pride. Beyond competition or spectacle, they are platforms where identity, solidarity and a sense of belonging come to life.
- KAFCON: uniting the African community in South Korea
- Unity Cup: celebrating African and Caribbean diversity in London
- AfroFuture: bringing African culture to global stages
- Africa Festival Würzburg: a celebration of African culture in Germany
KAFCON: uniting the African community in South Korea
On 31 May, the fourth edition of the Korean African Cup (KAFCON) was held in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. This football tournament brought together 12 teams made up of athletes from different regions of the African continent who reside in South Korea. The matches were played from 8:00 a.m. at the Anjung Leports field.
Created in 2022 by Cameroonian businessman Edmond Atemnkeng, founder of Afro Entertainment, the event seeks to ‘unite Africans living in Korea and promote a positive image of the African continent through sport,’ according to statements made by the company to The Korea Times newspaper. Atemnkeng also expressed his enthusiasm for this year's edition, which is expected to attract approximately 1,000 participants, and highlighted his vision that football ‘can serve as a diplomatic bridge.’
In addition to being a sporting competition, KAFCON has established itself as a key venue for cultural integration and the strengthening of African identity in South Korea. The Congolese Elite Community in South Korea (DECOC) highlighted that the 2024 tournament ‘marked a milestone in promoting intercultural understanding, friendship and mutual respect among all participants and spectators.’
The event attracts hundreds of participants and spectators every year. Atemnkeng also expressed to the media his hope that the African Cup of Nations in Korea will continue to grow in the coming years, involving more African embassies and attracting new sponsors from both the private sector and governments. ‘We believe that football can serve as a diplomatic bridge and a tool for expanding networks among Africans,’ he added.
More than a competition, KAFCON is a cultural celebration that fosters a sense of belonging, friendship and unity among Africans in a foreign environment.
Unity Cup: celebrating African and Caribbean diversity in London
Meanwhile, in Europe, the Unity Cup in London is another example of how sport can serve as a bridge between communities.
After 21 years, the Unity Cup returned in May 2025 with an international Afro-Caribbean football tournament held at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, according to the Brentford Football Club's official website. The tournament featured the national teams of Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, nations with significant communities in the British capital.
Marcus Gayle, Brentford club ambassador and former Jamaican international, said: ‘We are excited about the return of the Unity Cup. This tournament will not only bring together the elite football talent from Africa and the Caribbean, but will also celebrate the deep cultural and sporting connections between these nations.’ Andy Howes, co-director of AfroSport, said the event ‘goes beyond sport’.
The Unity Cup 2025 is not just a sporting competition, but a platform to celebrate the cultural identity, talent and diversity of the African and Caribbean diasporas in the UK.
AfroFuture: bringing African culture to global stages
While KAFCON and Unity Cup use sport as a channel, AfroFuture is committed to culture in all its forms. This international entertainment platform promotes cultural experiences focused on fashion, art, music and community work, seeking to ‘connect the global diaspora and build a new AfroFuture.’ Through festivals, artistic performances, participatory activities and community work.
According to its official website, the organisation seeks to strengthen ties between Africa and its diaspora by facilitating cultural exchange as a means of development and collaboration.
With a growing presence on the African continent, the organisation highlights the potential of these cultural encounters for the host communities. In addition, its AfroFuture GIVEBACK programme, launched in 2017 by Culture Management Group (CMG), reinforces its commitment to local development through the participation of attendees and volunteers.
AfroFuture demonstrates that culture can also be a meeting point, a source of empowerment and a means of redefining African identity in a globalised world.
Africa Festival Würzburg: a celebration of African culture in Germany
Similarly, the 36th International Africa Festival took place from 29 May to 1 June 2025 in the city of Würzburg, Germany. Considered the largest and longest-running festival in Europe dedicated to African music and culture, it has been a platform for artists from the continent and the diaspora since 1989.
According to its official website, more than 7,790 artists from 56 African and Caribbean countries have participated in the event, which has attracted more than 2,700,000 attendees over the years. The festival has become a key platform for showcasing African cultural richness and diversity to European audiences.
Its success has inspired the creation of similar events in different German cities, leading its organisers to protect its name and logo to safeguard its identity.
These events undoubtedly demonstrate how both the African continent and the countries that receive its migrants are committed to sport and culture as forms of integration.
From a football pitch in Korea to a stage in Germany, the message is the same: Africa is on the move through unity and the strength of a collective identity.
For many Africans abroad, these spaces have become more than just gatherings: they are moments to reconnect with their roots, share with fellow countrymen and feel part of a community, even far from home. Initiatives such as KAFCON, the Unity Cup, AfroFuture and the Africa Festival in Würzburg show that when talent, culture and the desire to be together are combined, bonds are formed that go beyond borders.