EU, CAF Forge Landmark Partnership to Empower African Youth Through Football
Ahmed Emam
In a step intended to strengthen youth development and visibility of European investments across Africa, the European Union (EU) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decided to ink a three-year cooperation and sponsorship agreement.
The deal, which was formalized ahead of the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations Final in Cairo, is set to deepen collaboration between Europe and Africa through sport, education, and community engagement.
Signed by European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela and CAF President Patrice Motsepe, the agreement marks a strategic alliance between the EU and Africa's football governing body. It will channel support toward CAF's youth and safeguarding programmes while promoting the EU's Global Gateway initiative, which seeks to mobilize up to €150 billion in sustainable investments across Africa by 2027.
At the heart of the partnership is the CAF African Schools Championship—Africa's largest youth football competition. Since its launch in 2022, the tournament has involved more than 1.9 million boys and girls from 46 countries. With the EU's backing, the competition is expected to expand to 33,000 schools, combining football with leadership training, education, and community involvement. The initiative is designed not only to foster talent on the pitch but to instill critical life values such as respect, perseverance, and teamwork. Prize money awarded to winners is reinvested into schools through infrastructure projects and educational resources.
The EU-CAF agreement also bolsters efforts to protect young athletes through the continent-wide Safeguarding Programme, launched by CAF in 2022. The initiative includes the appointment of dedicated safeguarding officers in all 54 CAF member associations, training sessions on preventing exploitation and trafficking, and a series of awareness campaigns under the banner #ProtectTheDream. These measures aim to create safe environments for children and teenagers involved in football as they transition from grassroots to elite levels.
Beyond youth competitions, the EU will be actively involved in several of CAF's flagship tournaments, including the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and 2026, the Men's AFCON in 2025 and 2027, and ongoing safeguarding and school-based activities. These events provide a significant platform for the EU to enhance its presence and reinforce its commitment to Africa's development goals.
The partnership reflects a broader EU strategy to use sport as a driver for social change. Through the Global Gateway initiative, the EU is investing in areas ranging from renewable energy and digital infrastructure to education and healthcare. Projects such as the Lobito Corridor in Southern Africa, the Nachtigal Hydropower Plant in Cameroon, and vocational training programmes in Angola and Senegal underline Europe's long-term commitment to Africa's sustainable growth.
Motsepe praised the agreement as a transformative step for African football and youth empowerment. 'Football is more than a game. It's a platform to build futures, strengthen communities, and create lasting partnerships,' he said. Commissioner Síkela echoed the sentiment, calling the partnership 'a bridge between continents' that will deliver impact where it's needed most.
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