Table of Contents
Key Points
- Patrice Motsepe, re-elected unopposed as CAF President until 2029, securing widespread support at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo.
- Under Motsepe, CAF’s finances improved, cutting deficits and increasing tournament prize money, while AFCON 2023 viewership hit a record 1.4 billion.
- Beyond football, Motsepe funds poverty relief, education, and healthcare through multimillion-dollar donations and African innovation initiatives.
South African billionaire and mining magnate Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected unopposed as President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), securing another term until 2029. His reappointment was confirmed at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo, reflecting widespread support from football stakeholders across the continent.
Motsepe, who first took office in March 2021 as CAF’s seventh president, has been credited with stabilizing the organization’s finances, expanding its global reach, and increasing investment in African football. His leadership has reshaped CAF’s financial outlook, attracting record sponsorship deals and boosting revenue streams.
Strengthening CAF’s finances
Since taking over, Motsepe has led a major financial turnaround. Tournament prize money has increased significantly, while annual subventions to Member Associations have doubled to $400,000. CAF has also slashed its fiscal deficit from $28.9 million to $9.2 million—an impressive recovery from its $45 million loss in 2021.
His leadership has brought in record-breaking sponsorship deals and unprecedented viewership numbers. The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Côte d'Ivoire attracted a historic 1.4 billion viewers, cementing African football’s growing appeal.
CAF has also prioritized financial support for its Member Associations, with increased prize money for major tournaments like the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. These efforts have strengthened the foundation of African football and reinforced confidence in Motsepe’s leadership.
His decision to seek re-election followed widespread calls from Member Association Presidents and key stakeholders who believe in his vision for the future.
Philanthropy and investment in Africa
Beyond football, Motsepe has long been committed to philanthropy and economic development across Africa. The founder of Mamelodi Sundowns and a billionaire mining tycoon, he has used his $3 billion fortune to uplift communities and expand opportunities.
In 1999, he co-founded the Motsepe Family Foundation with his wife, Precious Moloi-Motsepe, supporting initiatives in poverty alleviation, education, and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated R1 billion ($66.9 million) to South Africa’s response and pledged $10 million to develop school football across CAF’s six zones.
His foundation also backs socio-economic growth through partnerships like the Milken Institute’s $2-million AgriTech Prize, which funds innovation in agriculture, education, energy, and healthcare. This year, it will award a $1-million fintech grand prize to three finalists.
Motsepe’s unopposed re-election reflects the confidence in his leadership. With ongoing investments in infrastructure, finance, and strategic partnerships, he aims to usher in a new era of growth and global competitiveness for African football.
