The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) and KONAMI Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. have announced a landmark partnership that will see KONAMI become the Official Gaming Sponsor of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the 2025 and 2027 editions. The agreement marks a significant milestone in the evolution of African football’s digital footprint and opens new doors for esports development across the continent.
Under this partnership, KONAMI obtains exclusive gaming rights to authentically recreate AFCON within its globally popular football title, eFootball™. This means fans will soon be able to experience Africa’s biggest football tournament in a fully licensed, highly realistic digital format.
CAF Welcomes Innovation and Youth Engagement
CAF General Secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba, emphasized the importance of this deal in advancing the organization’s digital transformation strategy.
He noted that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is expected to be one of the most followed editions in history, and partnering with KONAMI reflects CAF’s commitment to innovation, global fan engagement, and empowering African youth across both football and digital ecosystems.
KONAMI Aims to Bring African Football to the World
KONAMI Senior Executive Officer, Koji Kobayashi, expressed excitement at the opportunity to elevate African football within the eFootball™ franchise. He highlighted plans to add more African star players, integrate tournament licenses, and enhance the game’s realism—delivering the passion, flair, and culture of African football to fans worldwide.
Beyond Licensing: A New Frontier for African Esports
While the inclusion of AFCON in eFootball™ is a major achievement, the partnership opens doors far beyond digital representation. It lays the foundation for new esports activations across Africa, similar to FIFA’s global esports programs such as FIFAe Nations Cup and FIFAe Club Series.
CAF and KONAMI now have the opportunity to explore:
- eAFCON — An annual or tournament-linked esports competition where nations compete virtually, mirroring the real AFCON structure.
- National Esports Qualifiers — Creating pathways for youth gamers across the continent to represent their countries online.
- Continental Ranking Systems — Building a structured ecosystem for African eFootball athletes.
- Talent Development Programs — Training, scouting, and digital academies to nurture young African players and developers.
- Tournament Activations During AFCON — Fan zones, gaming arenas, and nationwide esports events to drive engagement before and during the tournament.
Such initiatives would not only boost esports in Africa but also create new career opportunities in game development, commentary, event production, coaching, and digital marketing.
A Boost for Africa’s Growing Esports Ecosystem
Africa’s esports sector has been growing steadily, with rising participation in games like FIFAe, eFootball™, Tekken, Call of Duty Mobile, and PUBG Mobile. This partnership adds momentum by aligning Africa’s biggest sporting event with one of the world’s most recognized gaming brands.
With AFCON now entering the digital arena, stakeholders—from national football associations to esports federations—have a powerful platform to promote competitive gaming, enhance digital literacy, and inspire youth engagement across the continent.
Looking Ahead: A New Age for African Football and Esports
The TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 will take place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, marking the tournament’s long-awaited return. Thanks to this partnership, the excitement around AFCON will now be felt not only in stadiums but also on screens, consoles, and digital platforms worldwide.
The CAF–KONAMI agreement is more than a sponsorship—it is a gateway to Africa’s digital future, bringing football, gaming, and esports together in a transformative way.
If CAF and KONAMI seize the moment to build an eAFCON ecosystem, Africa could soon become a global leader in digital football innovation and competitive esports.
