The 2020 African Nations Championship qualification was a men's football competition which decided the participating teams of the 2020 African Nations Championship.

Only national team players who were playing in their country's own domestic league were eligible to compete in the tournament.

[1] Originally, a total of 47 (out of 54) CAF member national teams entered the qualifying rounds, split into zones according to their regional affiliations.

The draw for the qualifying rounds was held on 30 January 2019 at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

[2][3] A re-draw of the Central Eastern Zone (CECAFA) was announced on 3 July 2019, after Ethiopia (original hosts) and Djibouti (originally banned) were included.

[4] A re-draw of the Central Zone (UNIFFAC) was also made, after Cameroon (new hosts) were excluded from qualifying.

Qualification ties were played on a home-and-away two-legged basis.

If the aggregate score was tied after the second leg, the away goals rule would be applied, and if still level, the penalty shoot-out would be used to determine the winner (no extra time would be played).

Winners qualified for 2020 African Nations Championship.

Winners qualified for 2020 African Nations Championship.

Original draw (before Cameroon were excluded): Central African Republic won on walkover after São Tomé and Príncipe withdrew.

Original draw (before Ethiopia and Djibouti were included): Burundi won 4–1 on aggregate.