The 2009 African Youth Championship is a football tournament for under 20 players. It was held in Rwanda from 18 January until 1 February 2009. It also served as qualification for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The first leg was played on either the 18, 19 or 20 April 2008. The second leg was held on either the 2, 3 or 4 May 2008. The winners advanced to the First Round.

Congo, Nigeria, Zambia, Gambia, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Cameroon, Benin, Morocco, Tunisia, Mali, Ghana, Angola, Gabon, South Africa and Burkina Faso all received byes to the First Round.

The First Round first leg matches were held on the 27, 28 and 29 June 2008. The second legs were held on the 11, 12 and 13 July 2008. The winners qualified for the Second Round.

The first legs were played on the 26, 27 and 28 September. The second legs were played on the 11, 12 and 13 October. The winners qualified for the Finals.

The following teams entered the tournament:

The four best performing teams qualified for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.