The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has increased its annual financial support to each of its 54 member associations to $700,000, representing a 33 per cent rise in funding aimed at strengthening football development and administration across Africa.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced the increase during the organisation’s strategy conference in Sal, Santa Maria, Cabo Verde, as part of efforts to make football in all 54 member countries globally competitive and financially sustainable. 

Under the revised arrangement, each member association will receive up to $700,000 annually, up from the previous $525,000 allocation.

The latest increase represents an additional $175,000 per association and continues CAF’s gradual expansion of financial support to national football federations under Motsepe’s leadership. 

CAF has also increased annual funding for its zonal unions by 20 per cent, raising their allocation from $750,000 to $900,000.

The adjustments are intended to provide national federations and regional football bodies with additional resources to strengthen their operations, organise competitions and invest in football development programmes.

The latest funding increase builds on a series of revisions introduced over the past several years. In 2021, CAF member associations received annual subventions of $200,000 before the amount was doubled to $400,000.

The allocation subsequently rose to $525,000, with the latest adjustment taking the annual support to $700,000 per association.

The progressive increases reflect CAF’s stated commitment to improving the financial capacity of national federations and supporting the long-term growth of the game across the continent. 

CAF has also introduced initiatives aimed at strengthening financial accountability and ensuring that funds allocated to member associations are used for football development.

Through its CAF IMPACT Programme, the continental governing body has outlined funding priorities that include youth competitions, women’s football, school football, coaching and refereeing development, alongside operational support.

The programme also incorporates financial oversight provisions intended to promote transparency and accountability in the management of funds received by member associations. 

For the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other national associations, the increased annual subvention provides an opportunity to expand grassroots programmes, improve youth competitions, support women’s football and strengthen technical development.

However, the impact of the additional funding will depend on how effectively individual associations deploy the resources, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, coaching education, grassroots participation and the development of domestic competitions.

CAF has repeatedly identified stronger partnerships between national associations, governments and the private sector as important to building sustainable football structures.

The latest increase forms part of Motsepe’s broader agenda to make African football more competitive internationally while improving the capacity of national federations to manage and develop the game.

With annual support now reaching $700,000 per member association and $900,000 per zonal union, CAF is expanding its financial commitment to football administration and development across the continent.