CAF Hails Breakthrough Year for Women’s Football Across Africa

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has described 2024–25 as a breakthrough year for women’s football, highlighting progress in capacity building, competitions, grassroots development and player welfare.

Working with Member Associations and Zonal Unions, CAF held governance and leadership workshops in Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Algeria, Ethiopia and Cameroon.

These sessions trained administrators, strengthened club management and improved local football structures.

On the technical side, CAF ran women-only licensing courses in eight countries.

The programme produced 267 new female coaches at D, C and B levels. It directly tackled barriers to representation and created visible role models across Africa.

Major competitions also played a central role. The 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco featured legacy initiatives such as safeguarding sessions, medical training and a goalkeeping workshop.

CAF noted that the league’s competitiveness has grown each season, boosting visibility, attracting investment and lifting professional standards.

At youth level, Tanzania hosted the first Under-17 Girls Integrated Football Talent (GIFT) tournament.

Seven club teams combined competition with education, refereeing development and CAF D Licence training for coaches.

Backed by UEFA, the project set out a clear pathway from grassroots to elite football.

CAF also pushed innovation in futsal. A technical workshop in Morocco prepared the ground for the first Women’s Futsal Africa Cup of Nations, staged in April 2025.

Leadership development advanced through the Women’s Instructors Development Programme and the EmpowerHER workshop in Cairo.
Together, they created a network of female educators and administrators from 19 countries.

Players gained a stronger voice as well. In partnership with FIFPro, the governing body organised workshops at WAFCON 2024 on maternity rights, prize money and injury protection.