Africa
Youth football and unity take centre stage in Côte d’Ivoire
Focus on promoting unity, developing and strengthening football governance
FIFA and CAF presidents visited Côte d’Ivoire to begin two-day itinerary; Focus on promoting unity, developing and strengthening football governance; Continent’s inaugural pan-African inter-school football championship also launched.
The presidents of CAF and FIFA travelled to Côte d’Ivoire on Monday as part of their first joint mission in Africa since the election of Dr Patrice Motsepe as the confederation’s new president in March. Central to their two-day itinerary were meetings with government and football officials, with the focus on promoting unity and serenity, developing and strengthening the country’s football governance and launching the continent’s inaugural pan-African inter-school football championship in Abobo, a municipality just outside the country’s capital Abidjan.
Arriving in Abidjan they were greeted by members of the normalisation committee of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), including President Mariam Dao Gabala, who along with her colleagues has been responsible for bringing football back into play in Côte d’Ivoire.
An official dinner was hosted for the delegation by Ivorian Minister for the Promotion of Youth, Professional Integration and Civic Service, Mamadou Touré, in the presence of Minister for National Education and Literacy, Marietou Koné. Addressing the gathering CAF President Dr Motsepe underlined the unifying power of football being more important than differences between diverse groups of people. He was also keen to highlight CAF’s robust support for the West African nation stating: “Côte d’Ivoire has CAF’s total commitment and 2023’s AFCON here will be the best ever.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino bolstered this message further saying: “We need to work together to make football great and make the millions of passionate fans in Côte d’Ivoire, a country that has won the AFCON twice and will soon host it, happy.”
Present at the event to provide their support for the joint CAF/FIFA mission were CAF’s four vice presidents, presidents of the five CAF zonal unions and presidents from CAF Member Associations in West Africa Football Zone Union B.
This morning, the CAF and FIFA delegation’s focus was on viewing the work of the FIF normalisation ccommittee first hand, in order to understand what had been completed and the challenges it has faced. Addressing the assembled media outside the FIF building Dr Motsepe congratulated President Gabala and her team on their outstanding work and strong commitment to bringing peace and unity back to Ivorian football.
This sentiment was echoed by FIFA President Infantino who underlined the progress the FIF had made, particularly with the organisation of an elective congress, which it hopes to hold by the end of the year. “Côte d’Ivoire has the unwavering support of FIFA,” he said.
The joint delegation then travelled to the Ministry of Sports for a meeting with Minister Claude Paulin Danho. Discussions covered the country’s hosting of next year’s AFCON competition, and improving football governance. Speaking to the minister, Infantino expressed FIFA’s commitment and willingness to work hand in hand with the Ivorian authorities to “reinvigorate Ivorian football, especially given the outstanding talent it has produced. The football legends from Côte d’Ivoire have greatly contributed to building football history in Africa and across the world,” he said.
Ivorian Legends were very much pivotal to talks amongst the three men, with the CAF president reminiscing with Minister Danho about Siaka Tiéné, a young Ivorian player who had been one of his favourites due to his talent and passion, when Dr Motsepe ran South African football club Mamelodi Sundowns, prior to his election as CAF president.
The delegation were then received by the President of Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Alassane Ouattara, at the Presidential Palace. During the meeting the joint delegation stressed the outstanding talent in the country and the need to harness this through the development of youth football and CAF’s first ever pan-African inter-school football championship.
Following the discussions with the Ivorian Head of State, Infantino said: “President Ouattara is a great fan of football, so it is an honour to be here today to talk about how we can work together to support the youth of this country through the beautiful game. Côte d’Ivoire is a county with a legacy of talented footballers and many future ones yet to be discovered, so it is important for Africa and the rest of the footballing world that FIFA, CAF and the Ivorian authorities work together to develop the game and elevate it to the highest of heights.”
The final engagement of the day for the CAF/FIFA joint delegation was the launch of the pan-African inter-school football championship in Abobo. Fittingly, a football match featuring mixed teams of schoolchildren kicked off the initiative, with both presidents putting their technical and tactical football skills to the test as team coaches.
Following the match Dr Motsepe announced that the Motsepe Foundation, founded by himself and his wife Precious Moloi-Motsepe, would make a donation of USD $10 million to the ground-breaking new pan-African inter-school football championship, which will take place across the six zonal regions of CAF. After the match, the FIFA President said: “The gesture from the Motsepe Foundation, Patrice and his wife Precious, is exceptional. It’s a step forward for this competition that will give hope and joy to thousands of children in Côte d’Ivoire and throughout Africa who love football. Thank you to the Motsepe family for showing us Ubuntu in action.”
The joint delegation ended their visit to Côte d’Ivoire with a press conference focused on the African league, the development of women’s football, strengthening football governance, this November’s FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar and how to bridge divisions in Ivorian football. Both the CAF and FIFA presidents also outlined the plans to roll out the inaugural pan-African inter-school championship in Côte d’Ivoire to the assembled Ivorian and African media.
Powered by WPeMatico
7777 gaming has announced an exciting partnership with WA.Technology to expand its footprint across emerging markets in Africa and Latin America. This collaboration combines 7777 gaming’s extensive portfolio of innovative online casino games with WA.Technology’s comprehensive iGaming solutions, tailored to the specific needs of operators in these regions.
WA.Technology is a full-spectrum iGaming provider that offers online casinos, sportsbooks, fantasy sports, and affiliate business solutions. Its expertise spans turnkey solutions and individual products, empowering operators to launch or scale their businesses efficiently in emerging markets.
Elena Shaterova, Chief Commercial Officer at 7777 gaming, said: “The collaboration with WA.Technology is a pivotal step in our expansion strategy for Africa and Latin America. By joining forces with a provider as versatile and innovative as WA.Technology, we aim to deliver premium gaming experiences to operators and players in these growing markets. Together, we’re shaping the future of iGaming in these regions.”
Laura Festen, Director of Casino at WA Technology, highlighted the partnership’s value: “7777 gaming enables operators to launch and scale effectively in competitive global markets by catering to a broad player base with quirky, original concepts. The studio creates captivating and reliable content, positioning it as a versatile choice for operators aiming to expand player engagement. Thus, we are extremely excited about the newly formed partnership.”
7777 gaming’s portfolio includes over 150 titles, spanning multiple genres and formats, designed to deliver diverse and immersive gaming experiences. From fan-favorite slots like Candy Anyways and Medusa The Wild Temple to instant-win games like Mayan Gold and classic table games like European Roulette and Blackjack, the company’s offerings cater to players with varied preferences. All games are supported by HTML5 cross-platform technology, ensuring seamless gameplay across desktop and mobile devices.
The partnership promises to unlock new opportunities for operators in Africa and Latin America, offering them cutting-edge games and technology designed to enhance player experiences and drive growth.
The post 7777 gaming partners with WA.Technology to strengthen presence in Africa and Latin America appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SCCG Management, a global leader in gaming advisory and consulting, has partnered with iGC Africa to launch the continent’s most significant gaming summit.
This landmark event, taking place from May 26-29, 2025, at the Marrakesh Parc Expo, Circuit International de Marrakesh, Morocco, will bring together industry leaders, innovators and key stakeholders from across the globe. The iGC Africa 2025 Summit is set to be the premier gathering for gaming operators, affiliates, suppliers, investors and media professionals, offering unparalleled networking opportunities and insights into Africa’s rapidly growing iGaming sector.
With over 12,000 attendees, more than 100 speakers, over 400 exhibitors and upwards of 20 networking events spread across 15,000+ square meters, this event will serve as a catalyst for growth and innovation in the African gaming industry.
“iGC Africa 2025 is not just another gaming summit—it’s a movement to open Africa’s iGaming sector to the world. By breaking down barriers and fostering meaningful collaborations, we are creating a future where Africa is a key player in the global gaming industry. This partnership with SCCG Management brings unparalleled expertise to the table, ensuring that this event delivers unmatched value to all participants,” Alexandra Cernescu, Founder & CEO of iGC Africa, said.
“The African gaming market is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing sectors in the world. Our partnership with iGC Africa is a testament to our commitment to supporting operators, technology providers, and investors in unlocking the vast potential of this region. By leveraging our extensive expertise and global network, we are dedicated to making iGC Africa 2025 the most impactful gaming summit the continent has ever seen,” Stephen Crystal, Founder & CEO of SCCG Management, said.
The post SCCG Management Partners with iGC Africa appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SOFTSWISS, a global expert with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative iGaming solutions, announces its participation in SiGMA Africa, which will take place in Cape Town on 10–12 March 2025.
SOFTSWISS is bringing its award-winning ‘Grab Success’ creative concept to the expo. This time, it will be visually adapted specifically for the African market, celebrating the continent’s rich heritage and the company’s commitment to empowering operators with the best iGaming solutions.
Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, commented: “We’re excited to bring our ‘Grab Success’ concept to Africa, showing our dedication to innovation and delivering market-specific solutions. With the massive potential of this fast-growing market, now is the perfect time to explore fresh iGaming collaborations. We are looking forward to engaging with new partners, building meaningful connections, and demonstrating how SOFTSWISS can help enrich the future of iGaming in South Africa.”
Participation in SiGMA Africa 2025 continues SOFTSWISS’ expansion in the South African market. Last year, the company acquired a majority stake in Turfsport, a leading local provider of multichannel wagering software. This partnership resulted in three new product launches in 2024: the Lotto Software, the Retail Betting Solution, and a Horse Racing module integrated into the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook. These new offerings provide operators with flexible and secure tools to enhance their lottery and betting services.
Christian Neuberger, CEO at Turfsport, added: “Our partnership with SOFTSWISS has already shown its tremendous potential through the launch of three new products in 2024. As we continue to work together, we see even bigger opportunities lying ahead. SiGMA Africa will be a great platform to showcase what our collaboration can offer operators in the region.”
Additionally, SOFTSWISS recently released its 2024 iGaming Market Overview: South Africa. The report serves as a comprehensive guide for operators looking to enter this market and understand the region’s unique iGaming landscape.
Visitors are invited to schedule a meeting at Stand 56P to meet the SOFTSWISS team and explore the latest solutions designed for operators in the African iGaming market.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Set to ‘Grab Success’ at SiGMA Africa 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Betty6 days agoWyzia Renews Canadian Partnership With Betty
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
Texas Lottery Moves to Ban Lottery Courier Services
-
BCLC5 days agoBCLC Reminds Public to be Cautious of Illegal Online Casino Scams
-
BETBY7 days ago
BETBY EXPANDS LATAM PRESENCE WITH APPOINTMENT OF JUAN PABLO BARAHONA AS REGIONAL DIRECTOR
-
Betsson5 days ago
Betsson Obtains Local Gaming Licence in Brazil
-
André Baldavira6 days ago
GingaBet Becomes New Master Sponsor of Ponte Preta
-
Aposta 15 days ago
scoreconnect boosts Brazilian presence with Aposta 1 deal
-
Australia7 days ago
VGCCC Concludes Underage Gambling Investigation
