South Africa has won the hosting rights for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and thereby becoming the first African country to win such rights.

The coastal city of Durban has been named as venue of the 2022 edition of the event.

The announcement took place Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday after a unanimous vote by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

"Over more than eight decades, many great Commonwealth cities, nations and territories have hosted the games in order to build peaceful, prosperous and sustainable communities, inspired by the actions and achievements of our Commonwealth athletes, and underpinned by our values of humanity, equality and destiny," said outgoing CGF President HRH Tunku Imran.

"Our friends from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa are now primed to make the most of that responsibility and opportunity, and it gives me very great pleasure to welcome the South African City of Durban as proud host of the XXII Commonwealth Games. As a movement, we stand together to welcome and support the very first Commonwealth Games on African soil."

South Africa ended up being the sole bidder after the Canadian city of Edmonton withdrew its bid because of financial concerns related to the oil price.

Bid Committee Chairman, Mark Alexander expressed his thanks to the CGF for awarding the games to Durban. "It will accelerate the progress the city is making in construction and development, and in building a more inclusive citizenry," he said.