CAF projects $28.45m surplus as Motsepe vows transparency, development agenda

By Dayo Awoniyi

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has projected a $28.45 million surplus for the 2025–26 financial year, signaling growing financial stability and a renewed focus on reinvestment in football development across the continent.

The projection was unveiled during CAF’s 47th Ordinary General Assembly in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, where First Vice President Fouzi Lekjaa presented the proposed budget.

He revealed that the organization expects total revenues of $312.85 million, while expenditures are forecast at $284.39 million.

CAF’s revenue will be driven primarily by sponsorship, television and media rights, and marketing returns, along with income from ticketing, hospitality, and FIFA Forward grants.

Expenditures will focus on prize money for competitions, tournament organization, football development, governance, and solidarity payments to clubs and continental bodies.

CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe emphasized that 85 percent of the organization’s revenue will be reinvested directly into football-related activities.

He said the surplus reflects years of reform and a firm commitment to transparency, noting that the body’s revenue has quadrupled over the last five years.

Motsepe reaffirmed that CAF remains committed to financial integrity and player welfare, stating that efforts to eradicate corruption must be sustained.

He also highlighted increased funding for Member Associations and youth football, stressing the need for better support for players and national teams.

He added that CAF’s long-term vision is to build a self-sustaining football ecosystem that allows African teams and clubs to compete at the highest global level.

The financial outlook is expected to support preparations for major upcoming competitions, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and Africa’s participation in the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The surplus marks another milestone in CAF’s reform-driven administration, which continues to prioritize good governance, transparency, and inclusive growth across all tiers of African football.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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