African Leagues and FIFPRO Africa sign MoU to strengthen governance and labour relations

African Leagues and FIFPRO Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding designed to create a formal and ongoing social dialogue between leagues and player representatives across African professional football.The agreement was signed on March 28 in Cairo and is supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which attended the signing. It sets out a framework for closer co-operation between African Leagues, which represents employers, and FIFPRO Africa, which represents players.Both sides said the arrangement is intended to improve governance standards, labour conditions and the long-term sustainability of domestic competitions across the continent. The MoU also promotes wider collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), FIFA, national football associations and the ILO.Key priorities under the agreement include the development of contract standards, support for collective bargaining structures, improved dispute resolution mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives for leagues and unions. A Task Force on Social Dialogue within African Leagues will oversee implementation, while a joint continental committee will issue recommendations and engage with stakeholders.The deal is significant because it gives African football a more formal industrial relations structure at league level, at a time when many competitions are trying to professionalise operations, strengthen governance and improve employment standards for players.Ahmed Deiab, chair of African Leagues and president of the Egyptian Pro League, said: “This memorandum of understanding marks an important milestone for African football. It reflects our commitment to building strong and transparent professional leagues that can work together with player representatives around shared objectives.”Geremie Njitap, president of FIFPRO Africa, said: “Professional football in Africa is a major employer and needs structured labour relations. This agreement aligns with international standards, including those of the International Labour Organization, and marks a major step towards a more fair, sustainable and professionally governed football industry in Africa.”Eric Oechslin, director at the ILO, said: “The ILO is glad to support the signing of this agreement between African Leagues and FIFPRO Africa, which marks a significant step towards strengthening social dialogue in African football. By bringing together leagues and player representatives, this agreement promotes fair labour practices and sustainable development for African football, in line with international labour standards.”The announcement also adds weight to the launch of African Leagues as a new regional division of the World Leagues Association. The body was formally established in Cairo on March 28, with founding members from Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.That gives the new MoU added strategic importance, linking the creation of a continental league body with a parallel commitment to more structured player representation and employment dialogue.