This week, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Director General Olivier Niggli, along with other WADA staff, were in Rabat, Morocco, for the inaugural Forum of African National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs).
The two-day forum, launched yesterday, was co-organized by the Moroccan Anti-Doping Agency (AMAD) and supported in part by the WADA partnership with SuperSport. It provided a unique opportunity for Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) and representatives of other related organizations in Africa to meet, share best practices and engage with WADA leadership on many important issues affecting the region. Representatives from fifteen NADOs and the five regional anti-doping organizations (ORAD) based in Africa were present. Swiss Sport Integrity was also represented, as part of its collaboration with AMAD, as well as the African Union of Sports Medicine.
In his opening address, Mr. Niggli thanked the hosts and participants for their dedication to doping-free sport initiatives in Africa. He then presented the AMA Strategic Plan for 2025-2029, focusing on how WADA's initiatives will impact athletes and stakeholders worldwide over the next five years.
“It was a pleasure to spend time with our African partners at the first African National Anti-Doping Organizations Forum,” said Mr. Niggli. “We had substantive discussions on several important topics relevant to the region. WADA thanks WADA for its hospitality and for collaborating with us to develop this event. These forums are important: bringing regional stakeholders together to discuss issues specific to their constituency is the most effective way to lay the groundwork for tangible change. This week’s discussions were an excellent starting point.”
The agenda also included a presentation by WADA Africa Office Director Rodney Swigelaar, who focused on the anti-doping program in Africa and WADA's current initiatives on the continent.
"I commend our regional and international partners for making our discussions in Rabat a positive experience," said Mr. Swigelaar. "Participants had the opportunity to exchange views on issues relevant to their work in implementing robust anti-doping programs in their respective countries."
The anti-doping program in Africa has steadily improved in recent years, and forums like this will have a significant impact on continuing this progress in the years to come. We look forward to WADA's Regional Symposium in Africa next year, where issues related to the implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code and the 2027 International Standards will be at the heart of the discussions."
In addition to numerous opportunities for roundtable discussions and interactive workshops, the forum program focused on:
- Representation of athletes and ONADs;
- The role of Expert Advisory Group on NADOs of WADA;
- African ORADs and collaboration between ONADs and ORADs in the region;
- La update of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and International Standards 2027; and
- Innovation in anti-doping awareness and education.
“We are honored to have had the opportunity to welcome WADA and our partners from across Africa to Rabat for this important forum,” said WADA President Dr. Fatima Abouali. “The participants held engaging and thoughtful discussions, and our presenters provided valuable insights that each representative can take back to their respective anti-doping organizations. Participants are certainly leaving with renewed motivation to continue protecting doping-free sport in Africa and around the world. We look forward to meeting again in 2026 at WADA’s Africa Regional Symposium, and I look forward to seeing the progress made through the work being done here this week.”
The agenda included presentations from several WADA representatives, including the President of the Education Committee, Kady Kanouté Tounkara, Olympian in basketball, and member of the Executive Committee and Sports Council, Humphrey Kayange, also a member of the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' Commission and a rugby Olympian.
In addition, those present established the following conclusions:
- Recognition of the key role of WADA's African office in ensuring that stakeholders in the region remain informed and engaged with the global anti-doping system, and commitment to participate in next year's Africa Regional Symposium;
- Reinforcing the important role that NADOs play in maintaining compliance with the Code and ensuring that local authorities, including governments, understand their role in protecting doping-free sport;
- Commitment to informing and preparing African stakeholders for the implementation of the 2027 International Code and Standards; and
- The importance of the athlete's voice and the positive role of the WADA Athlete Council.
During the forum, Mr. Niggli also met with Mr. Mohamed Saad Berrada, Moroccan Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, to discuss the fight against doping in Morocco and the importance of government support for African NADOs and RADOs.
