South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns have emerged as Africa’s biggest spenders on transfer fees in 2024, overtaking Egyptian giants Al Ahly, according to FIFA’s latest Global Transfer Report, AfricaSoccer.com can report.
The report, which highlights international transfer activity across global football and released this week, revealed that a record $8.59 billion was spent on player transfers worldwide.
In Africa, Sundowns topped the list, marking a significant shift in spending power within the continent’s club football.
The South African club moved up two places to claim the No. 1 ranking in Africa, surpassing Al Ahly, who dropped one spot to second.
Sundowns’ aggressive spending strategy has been instrumental in strengthening their squad, as they continue to dominate both the South African league and continental competitions.
Egypt’s Al Ahly, a traditional powerhouse in African football, was second on the list despite their slight drop. The record CAF Champions League winners remain one of the continent’s most financially robust clubs, regularly investing in top-tier talent.
North African Clubs Dominate the List
North African clubs continued their financial muscle, with Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia) rising three spots to claim third place.
Moroccan giants Wydad AC made one of the most significant jumps, climbing 10 places to fourth, signaling their intent to compete at the highest level.
Libya’s Ahly Tripoli and MC Alger of Algeria maintained their positions among the biggest spenders, ranking fifth and sixth, respectively.
Another Algerian club, CR Belouizdad, also saw a significant rise, jumping eight spots to seventh.
Zamalek’s Surprising Surge
Perhaps the most eye-catching development in the rankings was Zamalek SC’s remarkable leap of 47 places to eighth.
The Egyptian side, historically one of Africa’s biggest clubs, has invested heavily to regain dominance in both domestic and continental football after recent financial struggles.
USM Alger, another Algerian representative, also made significant progress, rising 21 places to claim ninth position.
Libyan club Al Ahli Benghazi SC rounded out the top 10, despite falling five places, demonstrating that Libyan football remains financially competitive on the continent.
Shifting Trends in African Transfers
The FIFA Global Transfer Report highlights the increasing competitiveness of African clubs in the transfer market.
While traditional powerhouses like Al Ahly and Espérance continue to make significant investments, clubs from Algeria, Libya, and Morocco are also flexing their financial strength.
The rise of Sundowns as the top-spending club underscores the growing financial influence of the South African league, which continues to attract high-profile talent.
With the CAF Champions League becoming more lucrative and clubs investing more in top players, Africa’s transfer market is set for further evolution in the coming years.
Below is the Top 10 African transfer fees spenders in 2024: