World Football Summit, the leading global event for the football industry, has unveiled a detailed report on the current state and future of African football, shedding light on the continent’s significant commercial potential as it gears up to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.
Produced in collaboration with the #AfricaScores intelligence platform, the report identifies five key areas that present substantial opportunities for forward-looking businesses ready to engage with Africa’s dynamic football landscape. Among its most striking findings is the projection that Africa will have over 650 million smartphone users by 2025, making it the fastest-growing mobile-first football audience in the world. This surge in digital connectivity positions Africa as a fertile ground for fan engagement and digital innovation.
The report also outlines a pressing need for substantial investment in football infrastructure across the continent, estimating a requirement of approximately $80 billion by 2030. Despite Africa’s dominance in women’s football, including 68 total titles at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), commercial development in the women’s game remains largely untapped. Meanwhile, countries such as Ghana, Senegal, and Ivory Coast are becoming hotspots for talent development, with local academies offering a high return on investment through consistent talent output and opportunities for brand alignment. Regional growth is most advanced in North and West Africa, although emerging markets in countries like Mauritania, Mali, and Sudan are quickly gaining momentum.
Tlhopie Motsepe, Chairman of Mamelodi Sundowns FC, spoke during WFS Rabat 2025, emphasizing the moment of transformation that African football is undergoing. “African football stands at a critical juncture,” he said. “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.”
The report also highlights Morocco’s leadership as a strategic example for the rest of the continent. Morocco is currently upgrading nine stadiums with smart technologies, implementing a comprehensive talent development framework that integrates education and sports, and positioning itself as Africa’s hub for technology and innovation. These efforts are being pursued in tandem with preparations for the 2030 World Cup and hosting duties for AFCON 2025.
Beyond identifying challenges, the report outlines tangible strategic opportunities for stakeholders. These include professionalizing management through consulting in areas such as financial planning and organizational development, leveraging mobile-first technologies for fan engagement and analytics, fostering public-private partnerships to meet infrastructure needs, investing in academy partnerships that blend education with elite talent development, and evolving from traditional sponsorship models to more purpose-driven commercial partnerships.
It stresses that success in African football depends on a nuanced understanding of local realities, combined with the application of global best practices. Jaime Domínguez, Content Director at World Football Summit, emphasized the importance of strategic engagement. “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. 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.”
