Group photo of representatives standing behind two seated signatories at a table during the launch event of the African Leagues in Cairo. Large screens in the background display the African Leagues and FIFPRO Africa logos.

ILO welcomes African Leagues initiative for social dialogue in professional football

Following the adoption of the ILO Guidelines for professional athletes, the ILO attended the founding meeting of the African Leagues, a new regional initiative to strengthen social dialogue and promote decent work in professional football across Africa.

28 March 2026

Representatives of the African Leagues, FIFPRO Africa and partner organizations attend the launch event in Cairo, where the new African Leagues initiative was announced. © FIFPRO

Cairo, Egypt (ILO News)- The International Labour Organization (ILO) Cairo Office attended the founding meeting announcing the establishment of the African Leagues, a new regional division of the World Leagues Association (WLA), bringing together professional football leagues from eight African countries: Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Established in Cairo following a landmark meeting held with participation both in person and online, the African Leagues brings together its founding members around a Declaration of Principles and a shared commitment to the development of club football across the continent.

The initiative aims to promote national club competitions, strengthen professional league structures, advance governance standards and foster cooperation across Africa. It will also serve as a platform for engagement with continental and international bodies, including the ILO.

Ahmed Deiab, President of the Egyptian Pro League, has been nominated as Chair of the African Leagues to lead its strategic direction and representation.

Among those attending the event were Eric Oechslin, Director of the ILO Cairo Office, and Thomas Lieby, International Labour Standards Specialist at the ILO Cairo Office.

During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the African Leagues and FIFPRO Africa, which represents player unions in the region. The agreement marks an important step towards strengthening structured social dialogue and standards in professional football in Africa.

To support implementation, four task forces were established covering membership, competitions, social dialogue and development.

“The establishment of the African Leagues and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding are encouraging developments for professional football in Africa,” said Eric Oechslin, Director of the ILO Cairo Office. “They provide an opportunity to strengthen social dialogue and promote decent work in the sector.”

The ILO welcomes efforts to strengthen social dialogue and advance decent work in professional football across Africa, in line with its mandate to advance social justice.