CAF President Projects Billions in Economic Gains for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania Ahead of AFCON 2027

As East Africa prepares to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has projected that Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania could earn billions of dollars from the tournament.

The three countries are set to co-host the competition between June 19 and July 17, 2027.

Preparations are already underway, especially in upgrading stadiums, training grounds, and other key infrastructure.

While the tournament has been welcomed by many, some critics argue it could place financial pressure on the host nations.

However, Motsepe has strongly defended the event, pointing to the huge economic benefits experienced by previous hosts.

AFCON Massive Global Audience Expected

Speaking during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on Monday, Motsepe highlighted the global reach of AFCON, using Morocco’s recent hosting as an example.

“2.5 billion people watched the AFCON in Morocco, 6.2 billion digital viewers. Billions of people worldwide were interacting and viewing what was going on in Morocco. 180 countries throughout the world were watching the AFCON in Morocco,” Motsepe said.

He noted that the tournament has grown into a global sporting event with massive viewership across the world.

Economic Gains from the Previous Tournament

Motsepe also shared findings from a study conducted on the economic impact of AFCON in Morocco.

“The Moroccan economy benefited from approximately $2 billion. Nielsen is one of the top research and marketing companies in the world, used by UEFA and FIFA, and we asked them to make a study, and they found that the economy of Morocco benefited by the value of $2 billion for the month of AFCON,” he added.

This translates to about Ksh 258 billion, showing the potential financial impact the tournament can have on a host country.

Also Read: AFCON 2027 in Focus as CAF Boss Holds Crucial Talks With FKF

East Africa Expected to Benefit Even More

The CAF boss expressed confidence that Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania could achieve similar or even greater economic gains when they host the 2027 edition.

“Next year, President William Ruto will be hosting the world, and we are hosting in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda the most successful AFCON in the history of this competition,” he said.

Also Read: 60,000-Seater Raila Odinga International Stadium Nears Completion Ahead of 2027 AFCON

Rising Value of AFCON

AFCON has grown significantly in recent years, both in popularity and financial performance.

In 2023, CAF recorded a profit of $72 million (about Ksh 9.3 billion), which later increased to $113 million (about Ksh 14.6 billion) in the 2025 edition.

“With this steady growth, there is a strong expectation that AFCON 2027 in East Africa could set new records in both revenue and global attention,” Motsepe said.

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