Meet the executive leadership team of the African Chess Confederation. Nine dedicated leaders drawn from across the continent — players, international arbiters, trainers, and federation presidents — united to deliver reform, financial stability, and youth empowerment.
“African chess has reached a defining moment. We are moving from promises to performance — building lasting structures, sustainable finances, and inclusive representation for every African federation.”
Representing all 5 zones of the continent (North, West, Central, East, and Southern Africa) with specialized portfolios covering Administration, Technical, Continental Zones, Governance, and Finance.
President
Benard Wanjala brings over 20 years of experience in chess administration, leadership, and strategic development at various levels of the game. Known for pioneering digital federation systems and aggressive sponsorship marketing.
Deputy President
President of the Somali Chess Federation and active FIDE Arbiters’ Commission member with decades of international arbitration, continental diplomacy, and tournament organization experience.
Vice President – Administration
Three-time Champion of Gabon, Candidate Master (CM), and International Arbiter with extensive experience organizing major chess development activities across Central and Francophone Africa.
Vice President – Technical
President of Chess South Africa and seasoned social policy leader with over two decades of experience in community development, public participation, and youth empowerment.
Vice President – Region A (West Africa)
President of the Ghana Chess Association, Deputy Head of Marketing at National Sports Authority (Ghana), and FIDE Events Commission member championing youth inclusion and women's participation.
Vice President – Region B (North Africa)
Highly experienced International Arbiter (IA Category C), International Organizer (IO), and FIDE Trainer bringing extensive technical, arbitral, and organizational expertise to North Africa and the continent.
Vice President – Region C (Central & Southern Africa)
President of the General Assembly of the Angolan Chess Federation (FAX), championing digital transformation, institutional discipline, and strategic infrastructure across Lusophone and Southern Africa.
Secretary General
Former President of the Namibia Chess Federation, former National Champion, and Founder of Zandell Chess Academy, bringing extensive organizational leadership and tournament direction expertise.
Treasurer
President of the Ivorian Chess Federation, Magistrat Hors Hiérarchie, and Conseiller d'Etat with profound legal expertise and institutional governance acumen across Francophone Africa.
Zonal Presidents direct regional chess governance, coordinate national member federations, organize official FIDE Zonal Championships, and facilitate player title pathways across Africa's 5 geographical zones.
Coordinating regional chess development, zonal championships, and national federation partnerships across North African member states.
Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia
President of FIDE Zone 4.2 (West Africa). Championing grassroots chess expansion, regional zonal qualifiers, and institutional collaboration across 15 West African national chess federations.
Coordinating regional chess development, zonal championships, and national federation partnerships across Central African member states.
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome & Principe
Coordinating regional chess development, zonal championships, and national federation partnerships across East African member states.
Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda
Coordinating regional chess development, zonal championships, and national federation partnerships across Southern African member states.
Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
We are actively updating the directory profiles and official contact points for all 5 continental zones. Zonal Secretariats and Presidents are invited to share their updated details with the ACC General Secretariat:
secretariat@africachessconfederation.orgThese fundamental principles guide every decision, policy, and championship organized by the African Chess Confederation.
Equal Voice Across All 54 Nations
Every federation, regardless of language, size, or region, deserves equal representation and opportunity. We conduct our confederation with full respect for Anglophone, Francophone, Arabophone, and Lusophone nations.
Lasting Institutional Foundations
Continental chess development must go beyond promises. We are building robust financial transparency, corporate sponsorships, and sustainable grassroots systems that secure the future of African chess.
Measurable Delivery & Open Governance
African chess deserves leadership that is visible, responsive, and answerable to its federations. We believe in transparent governance, collective decision-making, and verifiable performance.
Explore our continental championships calendar, member federation directories, and official FIDE rating leaderboards.
