OVERVIEW 

HAVOBA is an ambitious multi-country initiative co-developed by the French Handball Federation, the French Volleyball Federation, the French Basketball Federation, and the Fondation du Sport Français, with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD). The programme operates in six African countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon. Its purpose is to strengthen the operational and institutional capacities of national sports federations while expanding inclusive and sustainable access to sport. 

The programme aims to enhance skills, equip local structures, and support organisations in building modern and resilient sports ecosystems. HAVOBA positions sport as a powerful driver of youth development, social inclusion, community engagement, and institutional strengthening. 

In addition to training, HAVOBA promotes innovative professional practices, supports organisational transformation, and encourages collaboration between African and French stakeholders. Its guiding principle is captured in three core actions: TRAIN, EQUIP, and STRUCTURE. 

FOUR COMPLEMENTARY PILLARS FOR SUSTAINABLE IMPACT 

HAVOBA Training: Scaling Competency Transfer 

The training component relies on a train the trainer approach designed to ensure long term knowledge dissemination within national federations. 

Training covers five thematic areas: 

• Promotion of women and girls in sport
• School based sports developmenTraining of officials and referees
• Training of coaches
• Capacity strengthening for federation leaders and administrators 

The training path includes the selection of local trainers, co development of modules with federations, expert led sessions delivered on site, access to digital learning resources, and structured support to ensure national replication. 

HAVOBA Digitalisation: Modernising Federation Management 

The digital component introduces a modern platform for managing licences and competitions. This tool improves efficiency, transparency, and data driven decision making within sports federations. 

Its functions include digital licence processing, competition organisation and monitoring, multi level access for athletes, clubs, and administrators, compatibility with mobile devices and computers, and the integration of existing national data. Deployment is carried out progressively in order to ensure sustainable adoption. 

HAVOBA Courts: Expanding Access to Safe and Inclusive Play Spaces 

This pillar focuses on building or rehabilitating sports infrastructures that respond to community needs and promote safe and inclusive access to sport. 

The process includes needs assessments, technical planning, institutional agreements to guarantee inclusive use, selection of implementation partners, execution on the ground, and continuous monitoring. 

 HAVOBA Equipment: Facilitating Access to Quality Sports Practice 

This component strengthens national sports ecosystems through the distribution of high quality equipment for handball, volleyball, and basketball. Equipment provided aligns with international standards and supports youth programmes, schools, clubs, and federation activities. The aim is to eliminate material barriers and encourage widespread participation. 

KEY DATES 

Training and Field Support for the Period 2024 to 2027 

Activities are implemented continuously across the six partner countries. Each action is based on a jointly conducted needs analysis to ensure relevance and alignment with national priorities. 

The programme includes multi country training cycles, installation and rehabilitation of sports facilities, large scale equipment distribution, and the introduction of the digital management system. Mid term and final review sessions bring together all federations to assess progress and agree on future strategic directions. 

ABOUT THE HAVOBA PROGRAMME PARTNERS 

Fondation du Sport Français 

The Fondation du Sport Français promotes innovation, solidarity, and social development through sport. It plays a central role in programme governance, coordination between French and African stakeholders, and the design of strategies that use sport as a tool for education, health, gender equality, and community cohesion. 

French Development Agency (AFD) 

AFD is France’s public development bank and supports initiatives that foster sustainable and inclusive development. Within HAVOBA, AFD contributes financial support, development expertise, and methodological guidance. Its involvement ensures alignment with broader goals such as youth empowerment, institutional strengthening, and the development of sports based community initiatives. 

French Handball Federation (FFHandball) 

FFHandball brings internationally recognised expertise in technical training, performance pathways, grassroots development, and federation governance. It contributes to the development of training curricula, organisational practices, and support for national handball ecosystems. 

 French Volleyball Federation (FFVolley) 

FFVolley contributes through its strong experience with youth development programmes, club structuring, community volleyball, and digital modernisation. It supports the creation of pedagogical content, the implementation of competition systems, and the strengthening of volleyball federations. 

French Basketball Federation (FFBB) 

FFBB provides extensive experience in high level basketball development, governance, and grassroots expansion. Within HAVOBA, it supports capacity building, digital transformation efforts, and the structuring of basketball ecosystems in participating countries. 

HAVOBA Ambassadors 

The programme is represented by four internationally renowned athletes who embody its values and support its visibility across Africa. Their role is to promote the programme and inspire the communities it serves. 

• Boris Diaw
• Siraba Dembélé
• Diandra Tchatchouang
• Karl Konan