WLA: launch of the African Leagues, a new division to support the development of African club football

The World Leagues Association has launched a new regional division, African Leagues, bringing together eight African professional football leagues, the WLA announced on 28/03/2026.

The eight founding members are Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, who signed a "Declaration of Principles" in which they commit "to a unified approach to the development of club football across the African continent."

"The African Leagues aims to promote national club competitions, strengthen sustainable and competitive professional league structures across the continent, advance governance standards, and foster collaboration across the continent," the WLA added about this new regional division, which will also serve as "a platform to cooperate with continental and international bodies, including the Confederation of African Football (CAF), FIFPRO Africa, and the International Labour Organization (ILO), particularly through its Africa office in Cairo (EGY)."

Ahmed Deiab, president of the Egyptian Pro League, has been appointed chair of the African Leagues.

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