The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD) have signed a groundbreaking partnership to advance the professionalization of African football.
The agreement was formalized at CAF headquarters in Cairo and represents a key milestone for sports education across the continent.
The signing ceremony brought together the Rector of UCAD, Professor Alioune Badara Kandji, and CAF Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba, alongside several academic and sports figures, including the Director of INSEPS (National Higher Institute of Popular Education and Sport).
Both parties emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia and sport in shaping the future of African football.
The new partnership introduces a certified training program at INSEPS in Dakar, set to launch in March 2026.
The program will target general secretaries of CAF’s 54 member associations, aiming to strengthen their expertise in football management, sports governance, and organizational leadership.
Professor Kandji described the agreement as “an alliance between academic knowledge and sporting practice,” highlighting the shared vision of using football as a tool for education, innovation, and sustainable development.
Beyond the training program, the agreement includes the creation of a Center of Excellence for African Football Education at INSEPS.
This center will serve as a continental hub for sports education, offering diploma-level courses in areas such as sports governance, law, and heritage management.
INSEPS, already recognized for its high academic standards and contribution to sports development, continues to assert its leadership role in shaping the future of African sports professions.
The initiative aligns with CAF’s long-term strategy to modernize football administration and ensure strong, well-trained leadership across African federations.
Through this partnership, CAF and UCAD are establishing a lasting framework for collaboration focused on youth empowerment, academic excellence, and performance-driven leadership.
Together, they aim to build a generation of sports professionals capable of driving African football to greater heights on the global stage.
