Kenya will host the Africa Cup Women's Rugby Sevens from November 13-17 at the RFUEA grounds.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairperson Harriet Okach said the tournament will be spread over four days, with the winner earning a ticket to the World Rugby Challenger Seven Series next year.
Kenya and South Africa have already qualified and will play in the second tier next season.
She said preparations for the tournament have already begun in earnest, including sourcing funding from corporate partners as well as the government.
"We have started talking to the government and as well as our partners, and I am confident that we shall host a world-class tournament for the best women's sevens teams," said Okach.
A total of 12 teams are expected to play in the tournament, including defending champions South Africa, runners-up Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Tunisia, Zambia, Ghana, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. The event will feature three groups of four each, with the top two teams in each pool qualifying for the quarterfinals alongside the two best losers.
Kenya Lionesses' coach Dennis Mwanja said with the country hosting the continental event, the team will go flat out to win the title and lay down a marker before the World Sevens Series Division Two Championship set for March next year.
"We came up short last year, losing a tough final to South Africa. The girls have tremendously improved based on their performances in this year's World Series, and I want us to take the next step and win the Africa crown,” noted Mwanja.
The former international said the upcoming Safaris Sevens, slated for October, will be a good build-up for the Africa Cup Sevens.
"Kenya will field two teams— Lionesses and Cubs. Besides, we would like to use the event to test some players and give them a chance to wear the national team jersey."
The Lionesses had two scrimmage matches against Tunisia as part of their preparations for both the Safari Sevens and the Africa Cup.
