Unveiling the potential of African football: Beyond the talent export narrative

Founder and CEO of the Football Foundation for Africa (FFA), Brian Wesaala, confronts the complexities of African club football, emphasizing its untapped business potential and its need for strategic change.

FFA, as an international social enterprise, drives investment in grassroots football development, advocating for sustainable growth and better governance in the sport.

Why it matters: Africa has traditionally been seen as simply a “talent development factory,“ but lack of economic returns for African clubs in the global transfer market has stunted even this potential and held the continent’s clubs back.

The perspective: Morocco is a prime example of how a shift from short-term gains to long-term investment in governance and organizational structures has led to success on and off the pitch.