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African Leagues and FIFPRO Africa Sign Historic MoU to Strengthen Football Governance
On 28 March 2026 in Cairo, African Leagues signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) with FIFPRO Africa, marking a major step toward improving governance and labour relations across professional football in Africa.
The agreement, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), establishes a formal and ongoing framework for social dialogue between African Leagues—representing employers—and FIFPRO Africa, which advocates for players’ rights. The ILO also participated in the signing, underscoring the importance of aligning African football with international labour standards.
This partnership is designed to enhance governance structures, improve working conditions for players, and ensure the long-term sustainability of domestic leagues across the continent. It also reinforces African Leagues’ commitment to building stable, transparent, and professional league systems.
Key focus areas of the MoU include the development of standardized player contracts, support for collective bargaining, improved dispute resolution mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives for both leagues and player unions. Implementation will be overseen by the Task Force on Social Dialogue within African Leagues, alongside a newly formed joint continental committee tasked with issuing recommendations and engaging stakeholders.
The agreement also encourages collaboration with major football bodies such as CAF and FIFA, as well as national associations and labour organizations.
Ahmed Deiab, Chair of African Leagues and President of the Egyptian Pro League, described the MoU as “an important milestone for African football,” emphasizing the goal of building transparent leagues that work closely with player representatives.
Similarly, Geremie Njitap, President of FIFPRO Africa, highlighted the importance of structured labour relations in a sector that employs thousands across the continent. He noted that the agreement aligns African football with global labour standards and promotes a fairer, more sustainable industry.
Eric Oechslin, Director at the ILO, welcomed the agreement as a significant advancement in social dialogue within African football, stressing its role in promoting fair labour practices and sustainable development.
Overall, the MoU represents a shared vision between African Leagues and FIFPRO Africa to strengthen league stability, protect player welfare, and foster meaningful collaboration among stakeholders in African football.
