[2] The Confederation of African Athletics hosted its two-day congress in the city's African Union Hall, prior to the championships; the serving president Hamad Kalkaba Malboum was re-elected for a third term.

[3] Cultural events were also staged alongside the sports competition, with the Ethiopian National Theatre holding concerts to promote the nation's music.

[5] Cheptegei and Yomif Kejelcha won the same long-distance events as they had at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Athletics.

Reigning Commonwealth Games champion, Ese Brume defended her long jump title with a championship record mark and was the stand-out athlete of the meeting, winning this title as well as a triple jump gold, 100 m bronze, and 4×100 m gold with Nigeria (also in a championship record).

Dawit Seyaum was the third athlete to return and defend their title, doing so in the women's 1500 metres, and also the third reigning World Junior champion to win at the meet.