Soccer is greater than only a recreation, it’s an enormous trade price billions of {dollars}. Whereas African gamers have lengthy been stars on the sector, a rising variety of African entrepreneurs and buyers at the moment are taking cost off the pitch by proudly owning soccer golf equipment overseas. 

These people should not simply passionate concerning the sport however are additionally utilizing their assets to form its future.

Right here’s a take a look at 10 Africans who’ve made their mark in international soccer membership possession.

Kunle Soname (Portugal – C.D. Feirense)

Kunle Soname, a Nigerian businessman, is the primary Nigerian to personal a European soccer membership. In 2015, he acquired a majority stake in C.D. Feirense, a Portuguese group, marking a historic second for African buyers in soccer. 

Soname can also be the founding father of Bet9ja, one among Nigeria’s largest sports activities betting platforms. His love for soccer doesn’t cease there—he additionally owns Remo Stars FC, a Nigerian membership recognized for creating younger expertise.

Nneka Ede (Portugal – Lusitano Ginásio Clube, Futebol, SAD)

Nneka Ede made historical past in 2020 by turning into the primary African girl to personal a European soccer membership. She bought Lusitano Ginásio Clube, Futebol, SAD, a Portuguese membership with over a century of historical past. Her imaginative and prescient for the membership is to create a pathway for African footballers to showcase their expertise in Europe.

Tems (USA – San Diego FC)

Nigerian music star Tems shocked the world in 2025 when she grew to become a part of the possession group of San Diego FC, a Main League Soccer (MLS) membership in the US. This transfer made her the primary African girl with a stake in an MLS membership. Recognized for her Grammy-winning music, Tems sees soccer as a option to unite folks throughout cultures, making her funding extra than simply enterprise—it’s about affect.

Shola Akinlade (Denmark – Aarhus Fremad)

Shola Akinlade, co-founder of Paystack, made a shocking transfer into soccer when he acquired a majority stake in Danish membership Aarhus Fremad in 2023. His aim? To create extra alternatives for African footballers to interrupt into European soccer. Earlier than this, he based Sporting Lagos FC in Nigeria, displaying his deep ardour for the game and youth growth.

Eniola Aluko (Italy – FC Como Ladies)

Eniola Aluko, a British-Nigerian former footballer, transitioned from taking part in on the sector to proudly owning a membership. In 2024, she grew to become a board member of Italy’s FC Como Ladies. Her background as a former England worldwide and Chelsea Ladies’s participant, alongside her expertise in sports activities administration, makes her a powerful pressure in shaping ladies’s soccer.

Kingsley Pungong (Czech Republic – MFK Vyskov)

Cameroonian businessman Kingsley Pungong took possession of MFK Vyskov, a Czech membership, in 2017. Via his firm, Rainbow Sports activities World, he has helped African skills get European publicity. Though he later offered the membership in 2024, his position in increasing African soccer’s presence in Europe stays important.

Samih Sawiris (Switzerland – FC Luzern)

Egyptian investor Samih Sawiris made his soccer debut by buying a stake in Swiss membership FC Luzern in 2011. Coming from one among Egypt’s wealthiest households, Sawiris has been instrumental in boosting the membership’s monetary power and long-term plans.

Patrice Motsepe (South Africa – Mamelodi Sundowns)

South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe is finest recognized for his possession of Mamelodi Sundowns, however his affect extends far past that. As president of the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF), he has performed a key position within the progress of soccer on the continent. His affect is not only about possession but additionally management within the sport.

Nassef Sawiris (England – Aston Villa)

Nassef Sawiris, one other member of Egypt’s highly effective Sawiris household, co-owns Aston Villa, one among England’s oldest soccer golf equipment. Since taking up in 2018, he has helped the membership regain its place within the Premier League, investing closely in participant transfers and infrastructure.

Akosua Puni Essien (Italy – Como 1907)

Ghanaian businesswoman Akosua Puni Essien made waves in 2017 when she purchased Como 1907, an Italian membership. The spouse of former Chelsea star Michael Essien, she took on the problem of rebuilding the membership, which had struggled with monetary difficulties.