LaLiga marks 10 years of shaping football culture and development in Africa

LaLiga marks 10 years of shaping football culture and development in Africa

Ten years ago, LaLiga began its journey of developing football across several African countries, marking a decade of growth and impact.

LaLiga became the first European league to establish a permanent office in Africa, a bold decision that has since evolved into one of the continent’s most influential international football development ecosystems.

This month, LaLiga celebrated its 10-year milestone in South Africa with a special anniversary event, featuring the premiere of a documentary chronicling a decade of growth, partnerships and purposeful impact.

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From day one, LaLiga positioned itself not merely as a football product provider but as a true partner to African football. That vision has driven a wide range of programmes that extend far beyond the pitch.

Over the past decade, LaLiga’s development initiatives have supported more than 3,000 young players and coaches across Africa, while its flagship gender-equality programme, LA LIGUE D’ÉGALITÉ / The Mzansi Equality League, has empowered thousands of female footballers in South Africa, Kenya and Cameroon through football, education and leadership opportunities.

Across the continent, LaLiga has collaborated with clubs and institutions to strengthen football structures:

Tanzania: Technical consultancy with Yanga SC Angola: Commercial and fan-engagement support for Petro de Luanda Zambia: Coaching and digital development with Zanaco FC Regional Partnerships: Long-standing collaboration with COSAFA and strong relations with SAFA Nigeria: Support for women’s football through NWFL engagements and initiatives like #OneHumanity, promoting unity and social inclusion Cameroon: Partnership with FUNDACIÓN Laliga and Petrichor Football Association to empower girls through LA LIGUE D’ÉGALITÉ

These collaborations highlight LaLiga’s sustained contribution to a more professional, connected and socially responsible African football ecosystem.

LaLiga President Javier Tebas said during the anniversary celebration, “We are truly proud to be celebrating this milestone… What makes this moment special is not only our growth but also the lives touched and communities strengthened through football.”

LaLiga has expanded its grassroots and talent development footprint. Programmes such as the Next Gen Draft and EA SPORTS FC FUTURES have created international opportunities for young African players.

In South Africa alone, more than 200 boys and girls have participated, with selected players earning the chance to train in Madrid.

On the media front, LaLiga has significantly grown its presence across Africa, partnering with major broadcasters including SuperSport, Canal+, ZAP, StarTimes, Sporty TV, Azam and New World TV. This has driven a surge in viewership, digital engagement and cultural affinity among African fans.

Reflecting on the milestone, Trésor Penku, Managing Director for LaLiga Africa, said, “This is a truly special moment… As we look ahead to the next ten years, we hope to see more children competing internationally and sharing stories of how LaLiga helped shape their journey.”

A decade on, LaLiga’s footprint in Africa stands as a testament to long-term commitment, sustainable development and the transformative power of football.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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