How FIFA & CAF Are Fueling Infrastructure Growth in African Football

African football is changing as a result of significant investments made by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in modernising club facilities, training facilities, and stadiums.

In addition to filling the infrastructure deficiencies, these programs, from FIFA Forward to CAF IMPACT and the Africa Super League, are raising the level of professionalism in the sport throughout the continent. 

This is a comprehensive look at how African club football is changing in 2025 due to strategic funding.

FIFA Forward: Laying the Groundwork for Growth

Massive Investment in Infrastructure

Between 2016 and 2022, FIFA invested $2.8 billion globally in football development, with Africa receiving over $118 million for infrastructure. This supported 144 projects throughout CAF member countries, including 94 additional pitches and stadium improvements.

Highlighted Projects

• Mauritania used FIFA funds to renovate Cheikha Ould Boïdiya, its national stadium. By increasing its capacity from 500 to 8,000, the improvement helped Mauritania earn a spot in three consecutive AFCONs.
• Egypt's technical centre in Ismailia received a $2.5 million FIFA investment, transforming it into a comprehensive training complex with a clinic and recreation facilities.
• Smaller countries also profited: Rwanda installed a national team accommodation facility; Libya obtained new federation headquarters; and Eswatini constructed the KaLanga technical complex.

CAF IMPACT: Structured, Purpose-Driven Funding

The CAF IMPACT Program, introduced in April 2025, is revolutionary, offering member associations up to $1.6 million over four years, plus $500,000 in performance bonuses.

Core Objectives:

1. Scale youth competitions and infrastructure
2. Promote gender inclusion and community outreach
3. Enforce financial governance and accountability

Mandatory Spending Breakdown:

• Youth development and women's football must receive at least 50% of the funding.
• Every distribution is open and honest, and integrity is guaranteed by independent audits.

CAF Champions League & Club Support

CAF currently gives $50,000 to each team entering the Champions League or Confederation Cup preliminary stages in an effort to lessen the financial strain on clubs.

Smaller teams, like as Ngezi and Zimbabwe's Dynamos, benefit from this grassroots backing by having their travel and logistical expenses offset, enabling them to compete on an equal basis.

Africa Super League: A Major Infrastructure Boost

The Africa Super League, which was announced in August 2022, is to provide $100 million in prize money, with $1 million going to each of Africa's 54 member countries annually. The objective is to create a self-sustaining, sustainable club football ecosystem with a strong emphasis on talent retention and infrastructure improvement.

The President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, who was present at the launch in Arusha, Tanzania, said: “As FIFA President, I am happy to witness such a historic moment of this exciting football project to boost and improve club football in Africa. African club football needs to be brought to the next level, and to do that, it is important to be innovative and to have new ideas, while fully respecting the existing institutional framework. The Africa Super League, built within the international football pyramid structure, is a project which will make African club football shine in Africa and beyond.”

CAF President, Dr Motsepe, also in attendance, stated that: “The Africa Super League would contribute to ensuring that football on the African Continent is managed and operated at the same professional, ethical and governance level as UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF and other Confederations”.

Impact: Infrastructure in Action

CAF Member Associations: 144 facility-focused projects across the continent—stadiums, technical centres, and pitches.

Women’s Football: Over 10,000 female players involved in 36 competitions backed by FIFA funds.

Capacity Building: Over 15,000 participants (players, referees, administrators) have benefited from training programs across Africa.

Member Abilities: Countries like Morocco, Kenya, and Uganda now operate FIFA-standard leagues and pitches, thanks to CAF and FIFA funding.