CAF raises annual funding for 54 African Football Associations to $700,000

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has increased its annual financial support for each of its 54 member associations to $700,000, with president Patrice Motsepe targeting a further rise to $1 million as the governing body seeks to strengthen football development across the continent.

The announcement was reported following CAF’s strategic conference in Sal, on Cape Verde’s island of Sal, held from October 7 to 9, 2026.

Motsepe disclosed the increased funding during discussions with African football leaders, according to South African public broadcaster SABC News and Guinee360.

The annual allocation has risen from $200,000 to $700,000, representing an increase of $500,000, or 250 per cent.

If maintained across all 54 member associations, the new annual funding level would amount to $37.8 million, compared with $10.8 million at the previous rate.

The increased support is intended to strengthen national federations’ financial capacity and help them invest in football development, including infrastructure, youth academies, school football, grassroots competitions and administrative operations.

Motsepe has repeatedly emphasised the importance of building stronger, more sustainable football institutions across Africa.

CAF’s official account of the strategy conference identified the development and long-term sustainability of all 54 member associations as central objectives of the gathering.

• Motsepe targets $1 million in annual support

The $700,000 allocation represents a significant step towards Motsepe’s reported ambition of raising annual funding to $1 million for each member association.

Achieving that target would require annual disbursements of $54 million across the continent, an increase of $16.2 million from the current reported level.

The funding ambition comes as CAF seeks to expand its commercial partnerships and broadcasting revenues.

Its official communications have highlighted increased sponsorship agreements and television partnerships as important elements of its broader investment in African football.

However, the precise funding arrangements, including the timetable for reaching the $1 million target and any conditions attached to the allocations, require further clarification from CAF.

• Focus on grassroots football and sustainability

The additional resources could provide national associations with greater capacity to improve domestic competitions, develop young players, strengthen coaching programmes and upgrade football facilities.

For countries such as Rwanda, where the national federation must balance league administration, youth development, infrastructure and national-team preparations, increased financial support could provide valuable additional resources if effectively allocated.

CAF’s strategy conference brought together presidents and senior officials from all 54 member associations, alongside national-team coaches and international football experts, to examine the continent’s progress and prepare for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.