Africa Juniors 2026: Angola Shines as Sonhy Jaime and Paulo Jemima Lead a Strong Championship

The 2026 Africa Juniors Individual Chess Championships concluded in Bujumbura with a remarkable display of young African talent across the Classical, Rapid and Blitz categories, with players from across the continent competing for continental honours.

Held from 24–29 August 2026 at the King's Conference Centre in Bujumbura, the Classical Championships featured 34 players from eight African federations in the Open and Girls sections. Both sections were played over nine rounds under the Swiss System.

In the Open Classical Championship, Angola's CM Sonhy Jaime produced a masterclass performance to win the title with an outstanding score of 8/9, securing the International Master (IM) title and a Grandmaster (GM) norm in the process.

Uganda's Muhirwa Alvin delivered an exceptional run to finish second on 6/9, earning a FIDE Master (FM) title with condition and an International Master (IM) norm, while Kenya's FM Jadon Simiyu claimed third place on the podium with 5.5/9 to secure a well-deserved IM norm.

In the Girls Classical Championship, Angola's WFM Paulo Jemima delivered the tournament's standout overall performance, winning the championship undefeated with an impressive 8.5/9. Her commanding display earned her the Woman International Master (WIM) title and a Woman Grandmaster (WGM) norm.

Kenya's WFM Elizabeth Cassidy Maina finished as runner-up with 7/9 to earn a WIM norm, while South Africa's WFM Boshoma Chisomo took third place with 6/9, also securing a prestigious WIM norm.

Overall, the Classical Championships recorded three new international title achievements, two GM/WGM norms, and four IM/WIM norms, producing an astounding total of seven title and norm achievements among the highlighted young masters.

The fast-paced action continued in the Rapid Championship, where Muhirwa Alvin of Uganda took the Open gold medal, followed by CM Sonhy Jaime of Angola in second and FM Jadon Simiyu of Kenya in third. In the Girls Rapid section, WFM Nassr Ryma of Algeria claimed first place, with WFM Paulo Jemima of Angola finishing second and WCM Asaba Juliet of Uganda taking bronze.

The Blitz Championship provided another thrilling conclusion to the continental festival. CM Sonhy Jaime of Angola claimed the Open Blitz title to complete double individual gold. Uganda's Wabwire Ronald finished as runner-up, while FM Jadon Simiyu of Kenya took third. In the Girls Blitz section, WFM Paulo Jemima continued her sensational form by winning the Blitz title, with WFM Nassr Ryma of Algeria finishing second and WCM Asaba Juliet of Uganda completing the podium in third.

Across all three formats, the championships showcased the tremendous depth, discipline, and competitiveness of Africa's emerging junior chess generation. Angola, Uganda, Kenya, and Algeria featured prominently across the podiums, while players from eight federations tested their mettle on the 64 squares.

For the host Burundian Chess Federation (FECHEBU), the championships provided a vital continental platform for high-performance junior development, bringing together Africa's most promising young players in Bujumbura. The 2026 edition leaves a lasting legacy of new international titles, grandmaster norms, and historic performances, underscoring Africa's accelerating rise in world chess.