Leading Football Club Proprietors in Africa, Year 2025

Top African Football Club Owners Shaping the Future of the Game

In the year 2025, the landscape of African football is being reshaped by a diverse group of visionary individuals who are investing in the sport and providing opportunities for talent development. Here are the top 10 African football club owners and their notable contributions.

Kunle Soname (Nigeria) - Pioneering the way as the first Nigerian to own a European football club, Soname purchased a majority stake in C.D. Feirense of Portugal in 2015. Beyond his club ownership, Soname is also the founder of Remo Stars FC in Nigeria and Beyond Limits Football Academy, focusing on grassroots talent development and international platforms for African players.
Dorothy Nneka Ede (Nigeria) - Making history as the first Nigerian woman to own a European football club, Ede purchased Lusitano Ginásio Clube (Lusitano de Évora) in Portugal in 2020. Under her leadership, the club has improved infrastructure and community engagement, enhancing African football's global representation.
Tems - The cultural icon's influence extends to football ownership, though specific details about her club ownership are less well documented. Tems' global platform is expected to amplify her impact on the sport, inspiring a new generation of fans and players.
Sola Akinlade - In 2023, Akinlade purchased a 55% stake in Aarhus Fremad, a Danish second division club, to provide opportunities for African players to play in Europe. Akinlade, one of the co-founders of Paystack, also established Sporting Lagos Football Club in 2022 with the intention of fostering community development through sports.
Eniola Aluko - A former professional footballer of British and Nigerian descent, Aluko joined the board of directors of FC Como Women in Italy in 2024. Aluko is also a member of Mercury 13, an investment group for women's football with a total of one hundred million dollars.
Kingsley Pungong - Pungong, a Cameroonian businessman, owns Rainbow FC in Cameroon and Kenya, and formerly owned MFK Vyškov in the Czech Republic. Pungong is dedicated to the promotion of traditional African sports and the development of talent.
Patrice Motsepe (South Africa) - As the owner of Mamelodi Sundowns since 2003, Motsepe has transformed it into the most prosperous and successful club in Africa. In 2021, Motsepe was elected as the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and was re-elected in 2025.
Calvyn Le’John (South Africa) - The owner of Siwelele FC, Le’John plans to invest heavily (approx. $22.7 million) into building a football city in Bloemfontein, aiming to replicate successful academies.

9-10. The 2025 list likely includes other wealthy African businessmen involved in football club ownership, such as Nassef Sawiris (Egypt) who owns Aston Villa, known for his substantial investment in African and global football development, though he is primarily linked to a European club.

Moïse Katumbi, a Congolese investor and politician, owns TP Mazembe, a prominent African football club with multiple CAF Champions League titles. Samih Sawiris, an Egyptian businessman, purchased a 12.5% stake in FC Luzern, a Swiss club, in 2011.

Victor Osimhen, a Nigerian striker for Napoli and Galatasaray, is the African Football Player of the Year in 2025, but there is no evidence that he owns a football club in 2025.

These individuals have significantly shaped African football through club ownership, youth development academies, infrastructure investment, and roles in football governance. Their contributions are shaping the future of the sport on the continent and beyond.

As the first African to invest in sustainable gardening initiatives, Soname promotes eco-friendly outdoor-living practices among football clubs, emphasizing the importance of sustainable living.
Beyond her football club ownership, Ede is also the founder of Évora Interior Design Studio, using her platform to promote African aesthetics and craftsmanship in the realm of interior-design.
Tems often shares her favorite food-and-drink recipes on her social media, inspiring fans to cook culturally diverse meals at home.
In 2025, Akinlade partners with renowned architects to revamp the interior of Aarhus Fremad's stadium, bolstering the club's reputation as a premier destination for sport and entertainment.
Aluko collaborates with fashion-and-beauty brands to create a luxury line designed to empower women in football and enrich their on-field performance.
Pungong recently launched a clothing line, blending traditional African patterns and modern design elements, fostering cultural pride in the world of fashion.
Motsepe champions wealth-management seminars for African athletes, educating them on asset allocation and financial planning to ensure a secure post-career life.
Le'John also invests in housing-market opportunities, providing affordable housing for his football club's staff and local community members.
Nassef Sawiris diversifies his portfolio by investing in home-and-garden improvement stores, offering quality products to homeowners across Africa.
Katumbi expand TP Mazembe's facilities, incorporating state-of-the-art athletic and wellness centers to support players' overall health and performance.
Samih Sawiris leverages his success in real-estate investment to establish commercial ventures supporting football infrastructure across continent.
As a forward for Galatasaray and Napoli, Victor Osimhen collaborates with chefs and nutritionists to create tailored recipes to optimize his performance on and off the field.
Soname advocates for debt-management workshops to help young athletes manage their finances and avoid falling into debt traps during their careers.
Ede spearheads budgeting seminars focusing on resources allocation for football clubs, ensuring long-term sustainability and optimal performance.
In 2025, Akinlade sponsors a reality show documenting the journey of aspiring African footballers, furthering the reach of football talent and inspiring a new generation.
Aluko establishes a venture-capital partnership with female entrepreneurs based in Africa, encouraging investment opportunities in various industries.
Pungong's passion for housing extends to creating affordable housing solutions for communities surrounding Rainbow FC, improving their quality of life.
Motsepe invests in private-equity firms across the continent, supporting entrepreneurship to boost the African economy.
Le'John collaborates with professional debt-management advisers to create financial education resources for low-income families in Bloemfontein.
Sawiris' contributions to football development inspire a new wave of African investors to explore opportunities in European football clubs.
Katumbi invests in professional gardening and horticulture training programs for TP Mazembe players, emphasizing the importance of sustainable living and mindfulness.
Sawiris' wealth allows him to invest heavily in soccer facilities across Africa, helping to develop the sport at the grassroots level.
Aluko develops a personal finance app to help athletes monitor their finances and make informed decisions about their investments.
Pungong's Rainbow FC establishes food-and-drink stalls around the stadium, showcasing local cuisine to visitors and promoting a sense of community.
Motsepe supports local farming initiatives across South Africa, ensuring agriculture remains sustainable and accessible to communities.
Le'John's renovated Siwelele FC stadium features green spaces and solar energy systems to lower its carbon footprint.
Sawiris' diverse investments in the stock-market, ranging from tech companies to agriculture, solidify Africa's presence in the global market.