World Football Summit, the premier global event for the football industry, today released a comprehensive report on the state and future of African football, revealing unprecedented commercial opportunities as the continent prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.
The report, developed in collaboration with #AfricaScores intelligence platform, identifies five critical areas where smart businesses can engage with Africa’s rapidly evolving football ecosystem:
Key findings:
- Digital leapfrog: Africa’s 650+ million smartphone users by 2025 represent the world’s fastest-growing mobile-first football audience.
- Infrastructure surge: The continent requires approximately $80 billion in football infrastructure development by 2030.
- Women’s football untapped potential: Despite dominating AFCON (68 total titles), commercial development remains nascent.
- Next-gen talent pipelines: Ghana, Senegal, and Ivory Coast academies offer ROI through guaranteed talent development and brand alignment.
- Regional maturation: North and West Africa lead commercial development, with fast-rising markets in Mauritania, Mali, and Sudan.
“African football stands at a critical juncture,” said Tlhopie Motsepe, Chairman of Mamelodi Sundowns FC, during WFS Rabat 2025. “The Sky’s the Limit is our motto. It’s a call to inspire Africans to dream big, rise above limitations, and never let their environment define their potential.”
Morocco’s leadership position
The report highlights Morocco’s strategic approach as a continental model, featuring:
- Nine stadiums are currently upgraded with smart technologies
- Comprehensive talent development framework combining education and sport
- Investment positioning as Africa’s technology and innovation hub
- World Cup 2030 preparation alongside AFCON 2025 hosting.
Strategic opportunities
- Management Professionalisation: Consulting opportunities in financial planning, organizational development, and strategic management.
- Technology Integration: Mobile-first platforms for fan engagement, affordable analytics, and cloud-based solutions.
- Infrastructure Development: Public-private partnerships for stadium development and facility management.
- Talent Development: Academy partnerships and educational integration programmes.
- Commercial Evolution: From transactional sponsorship to purpose-driven partnerships.
- The report emphasises that success requires understanding local contexts while applying global best practices.
“Through World Football Summit’s unique position connecting global football stakeholders, we’ve captured what forward-thinking businesses have already discovered: African football is no longer a developing market story — it’s an investment-grade opportunity,” said Jaime Domínguez, Content Director at World Football Summit.
“This report provides essential, actionable strategies for entering and succeeding in Africa’s football ecosystem. The question for global stakeholders isn’t ‘if’ to engage, but ‘where’ to start their strategic entry — and the answers are right here.”
Download the full report here.
