Mombasa Hosts 4th Africa Football Business Summit

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspape@gmail.com

The Africa Football Business Summit (AFBS) 2025 kicked off in Mombasa on Thursday, October 23, 2025 bringing together key stakeholders to explore strategic investment, good governance, and grassroots development.

The two-day summit, officially opened by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohamed, marks a major boost to Kenya’s efforts in strengthening grassroots football and using data to drive better management decisions.

The president said Kenya would continue to invest heavily on grassroots football targeting youth and women football.

He said the conference is important for Kenya in strategizing how to improve its standards and tracking investments.

Returning for its fourth edition, the conference is being held in the coastal city of Mombasa, a world-renowned tourist destination that mirrors this year’s theme on the intersection of football and tourism development.

“This year’s summit brings together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to drive investment excellence and explore innovative financing models, public-private partnerships, and sustainable strategies that can transform African football infrastructure and development,” said Mohamed.

Grenada Football Association president Marlon Glean called on African federations to unite with their Caribbean counterparts to amplify their influence in global football governance.

Participants at the Africa Football Bossiness Summit following closely the proceedings. (Photo By Mwakwaya Raymond)

“Africa and the Caribbean should think of going for global leadership. We have the number 79 members in FIFA and if we unite, we can dictate how football management is done,” he said.

He added that Africa must continue improving its football standards to become more competitive on the global stage.

A key goal of the summit is to strengthen governance frameworks in African football by encouraging transparency, accountability, and institutional reforms.

Discussions are also focusing on grassroots football, showcasing successful community-based programs and youth development initiatives that are nurturing the continent’s next generation of stars.

The conference comes as Africa prepares to host AFCON 2027, making it a timely platform to discuss strategies for long-term investment, sustainable growth, and lasting legacies in both the sports and tourism sectors.

Harambee Stars data analyst Nick Kimathi, who made a presentation on data governance and analytics, emphasized the importance of investing in technology and skilled personnel to modernize football management.

“We need to invest in the right data personnel who can translate statistics into actionable decisions. We must also embrace digital sports technology and build data analytics systems that drive meaningful change in the sector,” he said.

The summit is also examining how football events can drive economic transformation through sports tourism, leveraging Mombasa’s reputation as a tourism hub to showcase sustainable development models.

FKF President Hussein Mohhamed flanked by Grenada Football Association president Marlon Glean addressing the media at the Africa Football Business Summit. (Photo By Mwakwaya Raymond)

By bringing together industry leaders, investors, policymakers, grassroots organizations, and innovators, the AFBS aims to create a transformative blueprint for Africa’s football future.

Set against the backdrop of Mombasa’s stunning coastline and rich cultural heritage, the summit blends serious business discussions with the relaxed atmosphere of one of Africa’s premier destinations creating the perfect environment for meaningful connections and strategic partnerships.