Inside North Africa’s Growing Women’s Handball Scene

 Summary

• Tunisian Ligue A, led by powerhouse Club Africain, demonstrates decades of stability and success.
• Countries like Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria are gradually elevating women’s handball through national competitions, broadcast deals, and increased participation in continental events.
• North African clubs lead the way in the African Women’s Handball Club Cup Winners Championship and participate prominently in IHF events.

Deep Dive!!

North African women's handball is increasingly making headlines and is no longer a minor chapter in the continent's sporting history. 

The sport is seeing a thriving resurgence, with high-stakes competitions in Algeria and Morocco, crowded indoor venues in Tunis, and growing youth programs in Egypt. 

Women's handball leagues in North Africa are creating a lasting legacy, expanding their fan numbers, and progressively increasing influence on the continent.

Here is everything you need to know about the growth of women's handball leagues in North Africa, regardless of your level of experience with the sport.

Women’s Handball Takes Centre Court in Tunisia

The Tunisian Women's Handball League (National A) was established in 1963 and has been the benchmark for competitive, organised women's handball in North Africa ever since. 

The league is organised and easily accessible, with ten teams and media coverage on televised platforms such as TV Tunisia 1 and 2.

Club Dominance & Structure

Club Africain, which won its 29th league victory in 2023–2024 and went on to win 17 straight titles from 1966 to 1983, is unmatched. It also regularly wins the national cup.

Following as steady competitors are ASF Sahel and ASE Ariana, which makes for exciting competition that is frequently decided by slim margins.

Continental Qualifications

Top teams represent Tunisia on the African scene courtesy of the Tunisian league, which serves as a backdoor to continental events like the CAF Women's Champions League and Cup Winners' Cup.

Regional Spread: Egypt, Algeria & Morocco

Other North African nations are demonstrating significant movement, even though Tunisia leads in maturity.

Egypt

Although there is little information on official women's leagues, handball is becoming more and more popular. Football teams and women's handball teams are frequently fielded by traditional sports clubs like Zamalek and Al Ahly. 

Reddit forums and Nairobi-based admirers attest to a growing academy and grassroots basis, particularly in Cairo's neighbourhoods.

Algeria

Algeria frequently sends teams like ASF Sahel to compete in continental competitions like the African Women's Club Cup Winners Championship in order to gain recognition and boost regional competition.

Morocco

Moroccan clubs compete in continental events, such as the 2024 Cup Winners' Championship in Oran, Algeria, despite the lack of official league information. ASF Sahel and other teams from Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and other countries compete in the African Men's and Women's Championship, which is hosted by Moroccan delegates in Casablanca and Laayoune.

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North African Clubs at Continental Events

2024 Women’s African Club Cup Winners’ Championship

Top women's clubs, including Al Ahly, Petro Atlético, AS Otohô, and Primeiro de Agosto, participated in the regional competition held in Oran, Algeria, in April 2024. 

Notably, AS Otohô (Republic of Congo) received high positions alongside Al Ahly (Egypt) and Petro Atlético (Angola), while Tunisian clubs contributed significant exposure.

Beach & Indoor Handball Developments

Beach variations of regional handball are also played, although they are mostly played indoors. Women's national teams from Egypt and Tunisia competed against European equivalents at Hammamet, Tunisia, as part of the 2025 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour, which increased the visibility and diversity of handball in the region.

What to Look Out For in 2025–26

• CAF Women’s Champions League expansion, offering greater stakes and rewards for league top finishers.
• National league professionalisation, especially in Egypt and Morocco, is likely to involve structured tournaments and live broadcast coverage.
• Youth and junior tournament growth, notably CAHB Women's Junior Championships and inclusion of emerging clubs from Algeria and Morocco.
• Club investment and media deals, especially for Tunisian teams already tapped into TV networks and regional fan bases.