Unlocking Africa’s $20B+ Sports Economy - Catalyzing Investment . Scaling Opportunity . Powering Growth

Africa’s sports economy is emerging as a high-growth investment frontier, projected to exceed $20 billion by 2035. The sector is expanding at an estimated 8% annually – outpacing many traditional industries and nearly double Sub-Saharan Africa’s average GDP growth rate of 4.3%. That momentum extends into the consumer market as well: Africa’s sports equipment and apparel sector alone is projected to reach $5.58 billion by 2030.

This growth is supported by strong fundamentals: a young, dynamic population; world-class sporting talent; global interest in local sportainment content; rapid digital transformation; a vast fan base; and growing recognition of sport as both an economic driver and a powerful promotional platform.

Yet despite its proven ability to drive job creation, enterprise growth, youth empowerment, tourism, urban infrastructure development, and the creative economy, Africa’s sports sector remains significantly undercapitalized.

It currently accounts for just 0.5% of the continent’s GDP, against a global average of 2%. Similarly, Africa’s share of the global sports sponsorship market is under 2% – underscoring a compelling case for increased investment.

Join us as we explore transformative strategies and practical solutions to close this gap – positioning Africa’s sports industry as a scalable, investable, and globally competitive sector.