Ebi Egbe, chief executive officer of Monimichelle Sports and a specialist in sports facilities, has stressed that FIFA’s investment in African football can produce lasting results only if football institutions across the continent improve their accountability.
Investment must be matched by reform
Egbe said income generated through FIFA’s commercial activities and distributed via programmes including the Forward Programme and the Goal Project had already helped improve African football infrastructure. He highlighted the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Ghana, upgraded training grounds in Kenya, and stadium and playing-surface renovation projects undertaken by national member associations.
He also cited the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa as a clear example of how major spending can create a durable legacy. The tournament delivered modern, high-quality stadiums that continue to serve both professional and grassroots football across the continent.
At the same time, Egbe cautioned that the value of FIFA grants is closely tied to the quality of governance. In his view, weak transparency and limited oversight can result in funds being poorly used or diverted.
He referred to steps taken by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football to tighten supervision, including the appointment of normalisation committees in Kenya and Zimbabwe and broader financial and administrative changes within CAF. He further pointed to tougher club-licensing requirements, the wider deployment of Video Assistant Referee technology and stronger financial checks as signs that African football is moving towards greater professionalism and openness.
Egbe said FIFA funding would have the greatest long-term effect when financial investment continues to advance alongside governance reform.
Backing for FIFA’s proposed plan
He added that Africa could gain substantially from FIFA’s proposed $20 billion investment package and called on CAF to support the plan.
Monimichelle Sports likewise declared its backing for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, while encouraging other CAF member associations to take the same position.
