Fouzi Lekjaa has been at the helm of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) since 2014, spearheading a transformative era for Moroccan football. A key figure in global football governance, he serves as a FIFA Council member and 2nd Vice President of CAF, where he chairs the Finance Commission. Under his leadership, Morocco has made historic strides, including the men’s national team’s groundbreaking semi-final run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and a tenfold increase in investment in women’s football. He has also driven major infrastructure projects, such as the Mohammed VI Football Complex, and played a pivotal role in Morocco’s successful bid to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Beyond football, Lekjaa serves as Morocco’s Minister Delegate for the Budget, demonstrating his broad influence in national and international affairs.

Deputy Chief Member Associations Division and Regional Director for Africa at FIFA Gelson Fernandes is a former Swiss international footballe. He brings a wealth of experience to his role, focusing on strengthening global football development and fostering collaboration between FIFA and its 211 Member Associations. Committed to inclusivity and progress, he plays a key role in initiatives that enhance infrastructure, promote accessibility, and tackle discrimination in football. His leadership is particularly instrumental in Africa, where he works to create sustainable opportunities for national federations. With a clear vision for the future, Gelson Fernandes is dedicated to making football a truly global sport and a powerful tool for social impact worldwide.

Frédéric Oumar Kanouté, founder and CEO of 12 MANagement, is regarded as one of the best ever African footballers, with a distinguished career in the top leagues of France, England, and Spain. Kanouté is also the winner of many trophies and accolades, including the Europa League, Spanish Cup, UEFA Super Cup and African Footballer of the Year. An outstanding humanitarian, his philanthropic work has raised millions of Euros for charity, including through the ‘Champions for Africa’ charity football matches. Qualified as a football coach, his work now involves mentoring and developing the football stars of the future.

Eniola Aluko is a former professional footballer who represented Chelsea, Juventus and England making 104 appearances over 11 years and playing for Great Britain in 2012 London Olympics. She leads a multi-hyphenate career after graduating from Brunel University with a First class honors in Law (LLB) and qualified as a UK solicitor. Eni became the first black female to invest in and own stakes in a football club in Italy after her investment in Mercury 13 multi club ownership group owning majority stakes in Como Women FC in early 2024. She was honoured with an MBE in November 2023. Eni’s passions include travel, creative arts, fashion, food and chess!

As President of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Amadou Gallo Fall led the historic league’s launch in May 2021 and defines its vision and strategy for years to come. Fall oversees the league’s business and basketball operations, leading its efforts to build a comprehensive basketball ecosystem in Africa. Prior to being named BAL President in May 2019, Fall was Vice President & Managing Director of NBA Africa, where he worked with local federations, corporations, NGOs and other key stakeholders to grow the game of basketball across the continent. He helped open the NBA’s office in Johannesburg in 2010 and over the next decade oversaw the league’s grassroots development efforts and partnerships with marketing, media and consumer products companies in Africa.

After a successful football career, I retrained in sports management and obtained a Master’s degree in sports management from UEFA. I have been heading the Cameroon National Football Union for 9 years and, at the same time, I am the President of the African Division of FIFPRO.

I am the inaugural Director of the Member Association Division at CAF, a Division that was established by the CAF President in 2022. In my role, I am responsible for managing relationships with our 54 CAF member associations, ensuring effective collaboration and communication across the continent with Presidents and head of the administration. I oversee efforts in safeguarding practices, lead the CAF African Schools Football program, and oversee project governance aimed at capacity building of the football federations. Within the Member Associations Division, whose purpose is to envisage and coordinate the policy of CAF football development, to safeguard and strengthen the relationship between CAF and its 54 Member Associations (MA) on behalf of the CAF President and CAF Executive Committee, the mission of the Director of MAs is the development football on the continent, according to the principles of integrity, ethics, solidarity, equality of treatment and in cooperation with the MAs themselves.

Multiple award winning sports journalist Mimi Fawaz has established herself as one Africa’s most respected broadcasters. Presented several. programmes on BBC such as Focus on Africa Sport which broadcasts to over 400 million people weekly worldwide and BBC Sport Today programme. She’s also a regular contributor on CNN Sport.