Fouzi Lekjaa set to leave key CAF finance role

Fouzi Lekjaa is expected to resign as chairman of the Confederation of African Football’s finance committee, with his expanding political responsibilities in Morocco forcing him to reassess his workload.

The president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has become an increasingly influential figure in African football and Moroccan public life. However, his recent appointment to lead Morocco’s super-ministry for Economy, Finance and Public Performance is understood to have made it difficult for him to continue in one of his most important CAF positions.

According to information published by Jeune Afrique on Thursday, Lekjaa is likely to step down from the CAF finance committee in the near future.

He has held the role alongside several other senior responsibilities, including his leadership of the FRMF, which he has chaired since 2014.

His new government position is regarded as the decisive factor behind the expected resignation. The ministerial role adds to an already demanding schedule, while Lekjaa is also involved in preparations for the 2030 World Cup.

Morocco will co-host that tournament with Spain and Portugal, creating further demands on the FRMF president’s time and attention.

According to Jeune Afrique, the accumulation of these commitments is expected to lead Lekjaa to relinquish his financial responsibilities within CAF. The move would allow him to focus more closely on his government duties, his work with the Moroccan federation and the organisation of the 2030 World Cup.

The anticipated departure comes during a period of significant change within African football’s governing body.

On 30 October, CAF approved a return to a biennial Africa Cup of Nations. That decision reversed the organisation’s previous plan to move to a four-year cycle from 2028.

CAF has also appointed Nigeria’s Samson Adamu as its new secretary general, while a proposal for an African Nations League is under consideration.

Lekjaa’s withdrawal from the finance committee would therefore represent another change to CAF’s organisational structure. It would not, however, mark his exit from continental football.

Instead, his departure from the committee would amount to a redistribution of his responsibilities as his political role in Morocco and his involvement in the 2030 World Cup occupy an increasing share of his agenda.

Lekjaa has strengthened his position across African football in recent years, but the combination of his new ministerial duties, continued leadership of the FRMF and work on the World Cup preparations now appears set to bring his tenure in the CAF finance role to an end.