CAF president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s decisive role in transforming African football’s finances, saying the confederation moved from a massive deficit to a surplus under his leadership. “CAF had a deficit estimated at $100 million, but now it has a surplus thanks to Morocco,” he said.
This represents one of the most significant financial recoveries in CAF’s modern history and shows Morocco’s growing importance both on and off the pitch.
When Motsepe took office in 2021, CAF was facing a critical financial situation, with an estimated deficit ranging from $100 million to $140 million.
One of his main objectives was to stabilize the organization financially. The latest numbers suggest that strategy is now paying off.
During CAF’s General Assembly in October 2025, the confederation announced that it had returned to profitability for the first time in eight years. The figures illustrates the scale of the turnaround:
- Net profit (2023–2024): $9.48 million
- Projected surplus (2025–2026): $28.46 million
A major driver behind that recovery has been the success of tournaments hosted in Morocco, particularly the 2025 AFCON, which has been projected to generate a net profit of $113.8 million for CAF.
Morocco at the center of CAF’s recovery
Morocco’s role in CAF’s financial rebound is closely linked to its growing reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable hosts for major tournaments.
The country has invested heavily in stadiums, sports infrastructure, logistics, and event organization, making it a preferred destination for continental competitions.
Motsepe has repeatedly mentioned Morocco’s constant willingness to host tournaments, including events that are sometimes considered less commercially attractive, such as women’s football and futsal competitions.
That reliability has helped CAF maintain continuity across its calendar while maximizing commercial returns.
Beyond the headline surplus, Morocco’s successful hosting model has also helped CAF generate stronger revenues from ticket sales, sponsorships, media rights, and commercial partnerships. For the 2025 AFCON alone, CAF reportedly secured 23 commercial partners.
The stronger financial position is already being felt across African football.
CAF has significantly increased prize money in several of its major competitions, a direct sign of improved revenues.
For example, the winner of the 2025 AFCON in Morocco received $10 million, a sharp rise compared to previous editions. Similarly, the prize for the CAF Champions League winner has now increased to $6 million.
Aside from being a football powerhouse on the field, Motsepe’s comments prove how Morocco has become a major economic driver for the sport in Africa.
Read also: Morocco’s €1.5 Billion AFCON Revenue Covers 80% of 2030 World Cup Costs
