What an incredible time for African sports ! Across Morocco, whether in Rabat or Casablanca, the country is abuzz with competitions such as the Basketball Africa League, AFCON 2025 and the World Cup 2030. #AfricaScores is thrilled to bring its cornerstone to our budding industry. We are proud to announce our partnership with the World Football Summit and the upcoming publication of our joint report "Africa's Football Outlook". This report will bring in takeaway from WFS Rabat, explore Africa's football ecosystems and share case studies of success stories of African football clubs, sponsors and stakeholders.

THE 3-POINTER

After a week spent in Rabat to attend the World Football Summit and the Basketball Africa League, it is clear that Morocco is Africa’s next sports hub. I had the pleasure of moderating a panel on the next football infrastructures at the Summit. Here are three takeaways from the panel :

• Building for the future: With the world’s youngest population, Africa also holds the youngest communities of fans in the world. While new stadiums and arenas are being built in Benslimane, Lagos, Nairobi or Cotonou, François Clément of Populous (the architectural firm who brought us The Sphere in Las Vegas) reminded us that these infrastructures needed to be built for tomorrow’s populations and their taste for immersive experience.

• From Morocco to the rest of Africa: In Morocco, the public agency responsible for building stadiums is called ANEP (Agence Nationale des Equipements Publics). ANEP’s head, Zineb Benmoussa, shared with us that ANEP and the Royal Federation of Moroccan Football (FRMF), collaborated on a program which led them to support the maintenance of football infrastructure in 17 countries. Maintenance project included upgrading seating or equipping stadiums with artificial turf. ANEP’s work speaks to Morocco’s position as an impactful leader of African sports.

• Profitability is built beyond international football: Every country hosting a mega-event recognises the risks of having its in infrastructure turned into white elephants. During the panel, Adil Barii of the FRMF and Samson Adamu of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) both spoke of the importance to build infrastructures fit for international competitions as well as club competitions, concerts of international celebrities and conferences.

For more insights from the WFS Rabat, stay ready for our report which will come out in the next newsletter on April 25th.

Sindiswa’s Corner Kick

ON THE ROOTS OF SUCCESS

Hi, I'm Sindiswa! I'm excited to carve out this little corner of the newsletter to share what I've been learning, who I've been speaking to, and everything happening in the vibrant world of African sports.

This week, there is a buzz in African football—from the conversations at the World Football Summit to the high-stakes drama of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. These events remind us of how far the game has come and the immense potential that lies ahead : African football is major, not matter what the naysayers think.

While these standout moments make headlines, real progress in football—both men's and women's—is not achieved in bursts. It is built in layers, through quiet investments and years of patience. This kind of effort compounds slowly until it manifests as what appears to be an overnight success.

Across the continent, ecosystems are beginning to take root. Training and education programs, along with regional competitions, are providing young players with real, repeated exposure. Clubs are learning to sustain themselves without major backing. These steps are not trivial; they are critical moves toward sustainability.

This concept is especially evident in women's football. The rise of Zambia's Copper Queens—Olympians and World Cup participants—was not a coincidence. It was a decade in the making: from the development of coaches in 2008 to grassroots academies working to keep girls in the game, to players showing up season after season without sponsorship or prize money—only fueled by their belief in the game.

We've had the opportunity to learn more about their journey firsthand, and we will soon share an in-depth look at the key players, the unsung heroes, and the lessons behind their rise. Stay tuned for the full case study that will come out along the report on April 25th.

That belief is what's driving the sport forward. It's what earned the Zambian Women's League its first sponsor this season in Eden University from 2024 to 2027 (for a reported amount of USD 100 000). It's what attracted fans to live streams when broadcasters were uninterested. And it will carry the next wave of African talent—if the support continues.

As we keep track of the big fixtures and headline moments this week, let's also focus on the foundation. The future of African football—both men's and women's—won't just be determined by those at the top. It will also be shaped by those who are willing to build from the ground up.

A Final Note

SCORE WITH US

#AfricaScores is growing ! We are open to receiving more contributions and provide a platform for African voices of the sports industry. Write to us here [email protected]

If you are a corporation and would like us to explore an opportunity to collaborate on a knowledge product, please write to us at [email protected]

Until Friday after next,