The CAF Football Executive Management Programme continues to reflect the growing priority placed on professional development within African football administration as its second edition approaches completion in Cape Town. Established through a partnership between CAF and the University of Cape Town, the programme brings together senior football administrators from across the continent for an intensive learning experience centred on governance, leadership and contemporary management practices.
Beyond theoretical instruction, the programme offers participants practical tools aligned with the evolving demands of modern football administration. It is designed to strengthen institutional capacity by enhancing strategic thinking, decision-making and the adoption of globally competitive standards in governance and operational efficiency. Equally important is its emphasis on peer learning, providing a platform for administrators from diverse football environments to share experiences, challenges and best practices.
Former Gor Mahia CEO and current KCB Sports Consultant Raymond Oruo is among those taking part in the programme. Speaking to LTN Sports from Cape Town, Oruo underscored the broader value of the initiative, noting that its impact extends well beyond structured sessions. “The CAF Football Executive Management Programme has been a great opportunity to learn from industry leaders and a valuable networking platform with various sports leaders across the continent,” Oruo said.
A standout feature of this edition has been the calibre of speakers leading the sessions. Participants have learned from CAF executives and industry professionals including Jessica Motaung, Deputy Chairperson of the African Club Association (ACA); Robyn Cox, Managing Director of IMG South Africa; Natasha Petersen, operations and change management expert; Natasha Bredekamp from the Football Foundation of South Africa (FFSA); and Verity Price, award-winning keynote speaker and presentation coach. Their combined expertise has offered practical, real-world insights across commercial strategy, marketing, governance, sustainable development and leadership communication.
The networking dimension has emerged as one of the programme’s defining strengths, helping to build cross-border relationships that can support collaboration and long-term knowledge exchange within African football. By bringing together administrators operating at different levels of the game, the initiative promotes a shared vision around governance standards and sustainable strategic planning.
As the programme draws to a close, it reinforces CAF’s wider commitment to strengthening football institutions through continuous capacity building. By investing in the development of administrators, CAF is laying a foundation for more transparent, efficient and resilient football structures across its Member Associations, positioning African football to meet both continental and global challenges with greater confidence.
