Delegates included representatives from all 22 African Members including Full Members, South Africa and Zimbabwe. A number of sessions were focused on 2018 growth plans, fostering collaborative working and contributing to the ongoing development of a global strategy for the game with a particular emphasis on peer-to-peer learning being a feature of this year’s conference.

ICC regional development manager – Africa, Patricia Kambarami said: ‘I am very proud to have seen a number of improvements in participation, especially on the women’s side in the past year and a half. There have been many exciting strides made, but there is still work to do. The collective support and collaborative approach between ICC and its Members will provide a platform to work together with one vision. As Africa, we want to see all Members grow, be stronger and more competitive. We are individuals as countries, but our goal is the same.’

General manager – Cricket Kenya, Josphat Murithi said: ‘We are proud as Cricket Kenya to host the ICC Africa Regional Conference for the first time ever. It has been a challenging and inspiring conference, which has resulted in new knowledge, collaborations and friendships to move forward and work together to grow cricket across the continent.’

The conference also hosted the second ICC Global Leaders Academy accelerator programme. The programme was launched last year and is designed to reach more leaders than ever before. Delegates from 12 Members were given the opportunity to improve their leadership skills, to look beyond the sporting landscape and empower the leaders of the game to think ‘big’.

ICC General Manager – Development, William Glenwright said: ‘This is the second regional conference of the year, and it was a hugely important and productive four days. The focused investment in all Members is crucial to drive the future of the game and the growth of the global cricket community. The African region has so much potential with incredible stories from all Members being shared from Rwanda to Nigeria.

‘In addition, the ICC Global Leaders Academy proved to be another important addition with 18 delegates taking part in the leadership accelerator session. The programme which has already had a sustainable impact for Members and the sport in its first year continues to do so at each regional conference.’