Africa has long been recognized as the world’s supplier of raw materials, from minerals and metals to energy resources and agricultural products. But beyond these tangible exports lies something even more precious that the continent gives to Europe and the wider world – footballers.
The Global Football Economy
The global football industry, often referred to as the “football economy,” encompasses the vast revenues generated by professional clubs, leagues, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, merchandise, and ticket sales.
As of October 2025, the global football economy is estimated to be worth between €36 billion and €40 billion (approximately $39–43 billion USD).
Europe’s “Big Five” leagues — the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1 — contributed €11.6 billion in 2022/23, with projections reaching €13.2 billion by 2024/25, driven by broadcasting and commercial growth.
The world’s top 20 clubs, according to Deloitte’s 2025 Football Money League, generated a record €11.4 billion in 2023/24.
Real Madrid became the first club to surpass €1 billion in annual revenue, while broader global football activity, including emerging markets and women’s football, adds another €25–28 billion to the industry’s value.
But amid this massive wealth, many African footballers, the very talents who help fuel this global machine, live in poverty or face exploitation.
Football as a Lifeline and a Trap
For millions of young Africans, football represents more than just a game; it is a ticket out of hardship. With limited economic opportunities, the sport has become an essential tool for poverty alleviation and social mobility.
However, as demand for African talent grows, so too has the rise of unscrupulous agents and criminal networks who prey on the dreams of these young players.
Each year, countless aspiring footballers fall victim to scams, paying large sums to supposed “agents” who promise professional trials in Europe, only to be abandoned or trafficked.
One recent case in Madina, Ghana, involved seven young players who collectively paid an agent thousands of cedis, believing they were bound for Portugal. Instead, they were dumped in Cape Verde and left stranded. Their families, after selling properties to fund the supposed opportunity, had to raise more money to bring them home.
On July 1 2025, DW Africa reported that Ghanaian police has rescued 76 Ghanaians, mostly young men, trafficked to Nigeria through a fake recruitment scheme.
Victims were lured with promises of football contracts with top foreign teams, jobs, or visa assistance. Upon arrival, their documents and phones were seized, and they were forced to solicit around $1,000 from family members as fake training fees.
They were forced to live in overcrowded rooms under poor conditions. Traffickers also used victims’ contacts to scam relatives and friends. Seven Ghanaian suspects have been arrested.
A Tragedy That Demands Action
The dangers of this growing phenomenon were tragically underscored by the death of 18-year-old Senegalese goalkeeper Cheikh Touré, whose story has shocked the African football community.
According to Senegal’s Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs, Touré was lured to Ghana by fraudsters posing as football agents.
They claimed he had been invited for trials with a top Ghanaian club. Upon his arrival, he was kidnapped, and the criminals demanded a ransom from his family.
Unable to meet their demands, Touré’s family later received the devastating news that their son had been killed. His death is a grim reminder of the urgent need for action.
A Call for Accountability
Cheikh Touré’s tragedy must serve as a turning point. The Confederation of African Football (CAF), national federations, clubs, and governments cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the exploitation of young athletes.
Parents and communities, too, must be more vigilant. Education and awareness are essential to protect these vulnerable players from falling prey to fraudsters.
African football’s greatest resource is not its exports or trophies – it is its people. Protecting them must become a shared responsibility across the continent’s football ecosystem.
Meanwhile, watch the latest Sports Check interview with Alex Kotey, the GFA Referees Manager below:
