A new agreement between FIFPRO Africa and African Leagues has been described as a major step towards improving governance and labour relations in African football.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on 28 March 2026 in Cairo, brings together representatives of professional leagues and players’ unions in a bid to create more structured and sustainable football systems across the continent.
The deal is backed by the International Labour Organization, highlighting its alignment with global labour standards and reinforcing its significance beyond sport.
At its core, the agreement seeks to establish a formal framework for dialogue between leagues, who represent employers, and players, represented by FIFPRO Africa. Officials say this structure is designed to address long-standing challenges around working conditions, governance, and dispute resolution within African football.
Ahmed Deiab, who chairs African Leagues and also leads the Egyptian Pro League, described the agreement as a landmark moment.
“This memorandum of understanding marks an important milestone for African football.
“It reflects our commitment to building strong and transparent professional leagues that can work together with player representatives around shared objectives.”
The partnership will focus on several key areas, including the development of standardised player contracts, strengthening collective bargaining systems, and improving mechanisms for resolving disputes between clubs and players.
There will also be an emphasis on capacity building, aimed at improving how leagues and unions operate across different countries.
A dedicated Task Force on Social Dialogue within African Leagues will oversee the implementation of the agreement.
In addition, a joint continental committee will be established to provide recommendations and engage with key stakeholders such as Confederation of African Football, FIFA, and national football associations.
For player representatives, the agreement signals a move towards more structured labour relations in a sector that continues to grow in economic importance across Africa.
Geremie Njitap, President of FIFPRO Africa, stressed the broader impact of the initiative.
“Professional football in Africa is a major employer and needs structured labour relations.
This agreement aligns with international standards, including those of the International Labour Organization, and marks a major step towards a more fair, sustainable and professionally governed football industry in Africa.”
The formation of African Leagues itself reflects a wider effort to unify and strengthen domestic competitions across countries including Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
