By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Africa Sports Unified (ASU), a boutique strategic consultancy and intelligence platform dedicated to the Pan-African sports economy, has announced the release of its “Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Overview Report.”
According to the report, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is experiencing a fundamental transformation from a continental soccer competition into a high-stakes global media asset and a vital commercial platform.
The London-based consultancy highlights a structural shift in the Pan-African sports economy, with Morocco hosting the 2025 edition—the first time the tournament is taking place during the December-January global football window, aimed at maximizing viewership and commercial integration.
The report details a substantial increase in the tournament’s financial scale. The winner of AFCON 2025 is set to receive a record $10 million in prize money, part of a total prize pool of $32 million. This amount represents a doubling of the stakes compared to recent editions, showcasing the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) intent to compete with other major international championships.
“AFCON 2025 represents a structural shift in how African football is positioned on the global stage,” said Gabriel Ajala, founder of Africa Sports Unified. “This is no longer just a continental tournament; it is a global media, commercial, and nation-branding platform.”
Morocco is leveraging the tournament as a dress rehearsal for its role as co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Featuring 24 national teams competing across nine modernized stadiums in six cities, the ASU report underscores Morocco’s comprehensive approach to infrastructure, which integrates advanced transportation networks, fan-facing technology, and enhanced security protocols.
Broadcast standards are also undergoing a significant technical upgrade. For the first time, the tournament will be produced entirely in High Dynamic Range (HDR), establishing a new benchmark for sports broadcasting on the continent. This technical advancement has facilitated media distribution deals in over 85 global markets.
Notable broadcast partnerships include free-to-air coverage in the United Kingdom via Channel 4, distribution in Spain through Movistar, and coverage in Portugal via Sport TV.
The ASU report also looks ahead, noting that AFCON will transition to a four-year cycle beginning in 2028. Analysts suggest this shift will enhance the tournament’s “scarcity value,” making it a more desirable and exclusive opportunity for long-term sponsors and investors.
According to Ajala, the report serves as a “single source of truth” for governments, federations, and investors navigating the evolving landscape. By positioning the tournament as a premium global asset, CAF and its partners aim to bridge the gap between African talent and the commercial revenue that talent generates worldwide.
As the tournament progresses through its new winter window, the sporting world’s attention remains focused on Morocco to see if this modernized model can establish a blueprint for the future of African sports.
