Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, has called for a new era of economic transformation in African football during his keynote address at the African Football Business Summit (AFBS25), held in Mombasa, Kenya, on October 23 and 24, 2025.
The high-level summit, organised by Football Foundation Africa, gathered top stakeholders from across the continent including sports ministers, federation presidents, investors, broadcasters, and marketing experts to discuss sustainable business models for football’s growth in Africa.
Hon. Adams outlined Ghana’s progressive football reforms, notably the government-backed broadcast partnership, a GHS 1 million capital support fund for each Ghana Premier League club, and a revamped prize structure that will see the 2025/26 champions earn GHS 2 million, quadrupling previous rewards.
He challenged African federations to institutionalise national football business platforms, incentivise private sector partnerships through tax reliefs, and expand youth academies into thriving talent and employment hubs. The Minister also urged the commercialisation of local football data, digital storytelling, and merchandising, describing these as key tools for turning grassroots football into a viable economic asset.
“Africa must stop exporting raw talent and start exporting finished football products, with value chains built on the continent. From Accra to Algiers, Nairobi to Lagos the future is African. But the market will only respond if we organise, invest, and execute,” Hon. Adams declared.
His address drew wide attention from major figures in African football, including Brian Wesaala (CEO, Football Foundation Africa), Nick Mwendwa (President, Football Kenya Federation), Urs Lehmann (CEO, Infront Sports), Marlon Glean (President, Grenada Football Association), and Majidane M’Djih (CEO, MRW Sport Capital).
Hon. Adams concluded by reaffirming Ghana’s vision of building a transparent, innovative, and collaborative football economy that nurtures talent, strengthens local value chains, and positions Africa as a global force in the football business landscape.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Christian Kobby Quarshie
