The Paris 2024 Paralympics were a landmark event for Africa, with the continent securing a total of 64 medals—surpassing its previous count at Tokyo 2020 by one. Among these, 23 gold medals were claimed by athletes from eight nations, while two additional countries made their debut on the medal table.
As expected, para-athletics and para-powerlifting were the standout disciplines, delivering 43 and 11 medals respectively. Morocco emerged as the top-performing African nation with 15 medals, while Algeria stood out with six gold medals.
Samson Deen, president of the African Paralympic Committee (APC), commended the athletes for their outstanding accomplishments but highlighted the persistent obstacles: “African athletes have shown that if our governments and our people lift up support, they are going to perform much, much better.”
Looking ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics, the APC and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) will face significant challenges. Mauritius celebrated its first-ever Paralympic medal with Yovanni Philippe’s bronze in the men’s T20 400m. Nigeria’s Mariam Eniola Bolaji also made history by earning the first African Paralympic or Olympic medal in badminton with her bronze.
Algeria made further waves with Brahim Guendouz winning gold in the KL3 para-canoeing event. Expressing his optimism, Guendouz remarked, “It’s going to make a big jump in our sport. A lot of African athletes will have the same opportunity and will be (in) the same place as me.”
Prominent para-athletes further cemented their legacies at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, including Tunisia’s Raoua Tlili, who claimed two gold medals, bringing her total to eight Paralympic golds and ten medals overall. Algerian sprinter Skander Djamil Athmani also shone, winning gold in both the 100m and 400m, while South Africa’s Mpumelelo Mhlongu set world records in the T44 100m and long jump.
As preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics get underway, increasing both participation and competitiveness remains a key focus. Africa was represented by 312 para-athletes from 44 nations, but nine countries sent only one athlete. Funding and access to facilities are critical challenges, especially as many qualifying events take place in Europe or the Americas.
The African Paralympic Committee (APC) is currently seeking a host for the second edition of the African Para Games and has partnered with a European sports agency to broaden the range of sports featured in the 2027 edition. Duane Kale, vice president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), highlighted Africa’s “untapped potential,” stressing that a stronger African presence will benefit the IPC as well.
The APC recently convened with National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) to emphasize the need for unity in securing more government funding. APC President Samson Deen remarked, “The biggest challenge we have is disunity among the African people. When we are united, we have one message. If we are together, we can build a strong Africa in para-sports.”
Elevating the profile of para-sport across Africa is crucial for boosting participation. Hagie Drammeh, The Gambia’s chef de mission in Paris, emphasized, “There are many people with disabilities who do not believe sport is the way out. We need to get into most of the sports so that people with impairments… will have life in sports.”
Nigerian para-powerlifting silver medalist Esther Nworgu urged individuals with disabilities to embrace sports, affirming, “Sport will build you mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Where there is disability, there is ability. I see it as strength.”
As Africa looks ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Games, the achievements in Paris underscore the need for ongoing support and development in para-sport. With unity and dedication, the future for African para-athletes on the global stage appears promising.
