The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a return to profit for the first time in several years, with a stronger balance sheet and a sharp rise in investments aimed at boosting African football.
At the 47th CAF General Assembly in Kinshasa on Monday, Fouzi Lekjaa – CAF’s first vice-president and head of its Finance Committee – presented the financial report, detailing both revenues and spending for the year.
CAF’s revenues hit $312.9 million, drawn mainly from sponsorships ($111.2m), broadcasting rights ($81.2m), marketing agencies ($77.5m), ticket sales ($20m), and FIFA’s Forward 3.0 programme ($22.5m).
Expenses stood at $273.4 million, including $125.4m in prize money, $47m for competitions, $57m for development projects, $43.5m for governance, and direct aid of $100,000 per club, alongside a $400,000 subsidy to the African Clubs Association.
Lekjaa stressed that “85% of the revenues will be reinvested in the development of football across the continent.”
CAF also projects revenues of $312.85 million for next year, with spending expected to reach $284.39 million, leaving a $28.45 million surplus.
The organisation, led by President Patrice Motsepe, confirmed a net profit of $9.48 million for the 2023–2024 financial year — a remarkable turnaround from previous years of deficit. CAF credits this to strict financial controls, new sponsorship deals, and a growing global interest in African football.
Prize money has seen significant boosts across competitions:
- CAF Champions League winners’ prize up 60% to $4m
- CAF Women’s Champions League winners’ prize up 52% to $600,000
- CHAN 2024 prize pool up 32% to $10.5m
- AFCON 2023 winners earned $7m, a 40% increase
CAF’s president said the reforms are part of a long-term strategy launched in 2021 to make African football “globally competitive and financially self-sustaining.”
