The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will include three women among the officials for the under-17 African Cup of Nations from April 14-28. in Tanzania next month.
In a statement, CAF said one referee and two assistants will handle matches at the tournament.
"The historic decision is a testament to CAF's commitment to developing women's football," CAF said on its website this week.
"It will also give women match officials a bigger platform to expose their talents and also gain experience."
The women are Tanzanian referee Jonesia Rukyaa Kabakama, and assistants Mary Wanjiru Njoroge from Kenya and Lidwine Rakotozafinoro from Madagascar.
They were among the pre-selected 29 referees and assistant referees who trained in Morocco from March 31 to April 4, according to CAF.
The group will undergo "medical, physical and theoretical test to select the conclusive list of match officials for the final tournament" in Tanzania.