Welcome to official page of the 2026 African Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships!
The 2026 Championship will take place online from February 20th to the 22nd of 2026. (9am to 5pm GMT+1 Time). We aim to host an AIDPSC featuring some of the most talented and experienced judges from around the world.
The championship will include two rounds of Parliamentary Debate (PD), Impromptu Speaking (IS), After-Dinner Speaking (AS), Interpretative Reading (IR) and Persuasive Speaking (PS). Following the preliminary rounds, there will be semi-finals and grand final rounds.
Speakers register individually but will be paired with a different debater in each round for the parliamentary debate rounds only. The AIDPSC follows the same format and adjudication ballots as the WIDPSC.
Pubic Speaking Speeches General Guidelines:
Impromptu Speaking (IS): 2 Minute Prep Time – 3 to 5 Minute Speech
Interpretive Reading (IR): 5 to 11 Minute Prepared Speech
After-Dinner Speaking (AS): 5 to 7 Minute Prepared Speech
Persuasive Speaking (PS): 7 to 13 Minute Prepared Speech
(Prepared speeches for round one are due by February 15th, 2026)
Parliamentary Debate (PD) General Guidelines:
Contestants will work with a partner from a different school to propose and second, or oppose and second a motion/resolution. The motion will be presented to the teams 35 minutes before the start of the debate. Emphasis on judging will be on clash, spontaneity, logic, wit, content and teamwork. Specific guidelines:
• All motions are impromptu motions.
• Points of Information are permitted.
• Speakers are permitted to use notes/paper but are discouraged from reading.
Parliamentary Debate (PD) Speech Times:
A choice of two resolutions will be presented to the teams approximately 35 minutes before the start of the debate. One team, as designated, will choose the topic, while the other team will choose the side. Different resolutions will be issued for each round. Teams have 35 minutes to compose their own speeches. The length and order of speeches are as follows:
First Proposition: 6 mins
First Opposition: 6 mins
Second Prop: 9 mins
Second Opp: 9 mins
Third Opposition (reply speech): 3 mins
Third Proposition (reply speech): 3 mins
(First Opp/Prop speakers do the reply speeches. Therefore, First speakers speak twice and second speakers speak once. However, each speaker speaks for a total of 9 minutes)
We encourage you all new to this debate format to watch some WIDPSC Debate videos on YouTube to better understand the format. It would be best to search for “WIDPSC Debate Finals” videos/
Eligibility: All high school students from around the world.
Registration Deadline: February 9th, 2026
Participation Fee: 30USD, 10USD for ASDF members
(*ASDF members are national/school organisations that have paid their membership fees for 2026, please check our national directory page to see if your national organisation is an ASDF member)
AWARDS & CERTIFICATES
All participants will receive an e-certificate, the top 3 speakers will also receive a ASDF medal.
2026 Judges
2026 Schedule
Registration Form (speakers)
Registration Form (Judges)
Convenor: Soufiane Choubani (Morocco) [WIDPSC 2022 Grand Finals Debate Judge]
If you have any questions, please send an email to: ADebateCouncil@gmail.com
+(48) 690-288-778
African Schools Debate Foundation 