Morocco AFCON 2025 generated €1.5B, boosting infrastructure, jobs, and tourism despite a 1–0 final defeat to Senegal
Morocco’s narrow 1–0 defeat to Senegal in the AFCON 2025 final may have denied the Atlas Lions a historic title, but the tournament has delivered an economic windfall that officials say far exceeds the sporting disappointment.
Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ryad Mezzour, told Spanish news agency EFE that direct revenues from the expanded 24-team tournament surpassed €1.5 billion (approximately MAD 16 billion).
He added that the proceeds have already funded around 80% of the infrastructure required for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Mezzour described the tournament’s impact as a “double effect” of revenue generation and investment stimulation, noting that an estimated 600,000 AFCON-specific visitors contributed to a record tourism year.
Total tourist arrivals hit 20 million, a 14% increase year-on-year, benefiting key sectors including transport, hospitality, restaurants, and handicrafts.
The government invested €2.3 billion in staging AFCON 2025, with infrastructure projects including the construction or refurbishment of nine stadiums, as well as upgrades to roads, airports, and public services.
Mezzour said the accelerated programme effectively compressed “a decade of development into 24 months.”
Employment benefits have been substantial, with over 100,000 jobs created. Thousands of young Moroccans received training aligned with international standards, enhancing long-term employability.
More than 3,000 industrial companies participated in the construction phase.
The tournament also accelerated Morocco’s technological transformation, with 5G rollout, digital identification systems, online ticketing, and improved cybersecurity reducing logistical costs and attracting further investment.
In a January 19 interview with France 24, Mezzour called AFCON 2025 “one of the most profitable in history” for both CAF and Morocco, citing commercial consumption growth of 25–30% and projected national economic growth exceeding 4.5%.
He estimated a revenue and investment multiplier of 1.82.
Globally, the tournament reached an estimated two billion viewers and generated around 10 billion social media interactions, bolstering Morocco’s reputation for hosting world-class events.
CAF recorded unprecedented returns, with revenues 90% higher than AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast.
The governing body expanded its commercial partnerships from nine in 2021 to 23 in 2025, with projected revenues of $192.6 million and net profits of $113.8 million.
While Senegal’s victory left Moroccan supporters disappointed on home soil, officials insist that AFCON 2025 has established a strong foundation for the 2030 World Cup, delivering long-term infrastructure, employment opportunities, and sustained economic momentum.
Business3 years ago
