By: Julius Konton
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a historic multi-year global partnership with Royal Air Maroc (RAM), appointing Morocco’s national carrier as the Official Global Partner for several premier continental tournaments including the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 and the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024.
The agreement represents one of the most comprehensive commercial partnerships in CAF’s recent history and cements Morocco’s rising profile as a global sporting and aviation hub.
A Strategic Alliance Spanning Africa’s Major Competitions
Under the new partnership, Royal Air Maroc will serve as Official Global Partner for:
AFCON Morocco 2025
WAFCON Morocco 2024
CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025
CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025
CAF Champions League Finals 2024/2025
CAF Confederation Cup Finals 2024/2025
CAF Women’s Champions League 2025
CAF’s flagship AFCON tournament alone attracts more than 600 million cumulative TV viewers across 160+ countries, while digital engagement for the last edition surpassed 2.8 billion impressions, making this partnership a major commercial milestone for African sports.
Boosting Morocco’s Sports Diplomacy
The partnership comes at a pivotal moment as Morocco accelerates its sports and tourism ambitions:
The country will host AFCON 2025 from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
It will also stage WAFCON 2025 from 5–26 July 2025.
Morocco is preparing to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030 with Spain and Portugal.
Morocco has invested heavily in sporting infrastructure in recent years expanding stadium capacity, modernizing transport systems, and increasing annual tourism arrivals which surpassed 14.5 million in 2023, a national record.
Royal Air Maroc: A Growing Continental Powerhouse
The partnership further solidifies Royal Air Maroc’s strategic role as a leading African carrier.
Operating a network that connects over 80 destinations across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East, RAM has positioned itself as a gateway between Africa and global markets.
RAM previously served as the Official Carrier of the Moroccan national team during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, when the Atlas Lions made historic global headlines as the first African and Arab team to reach a World Cup semi-final.
To support CAF events, RAM plans to:
Expand its fleet capacity throughout the upcoming competitions
Increase frequency of flights to African capitals
Add special charter flights for teams and fans
Create affordable travel packages for diaspora supporters worldwide
The airline anticipates a surge in African and international traffic, particularly during AFCON 2025, which is expected to attract nearly one million visiting fans.
Leadership Reactions
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe welcomed the partnership, calling it a strong vote of confidence in African football’s growth trajectory.
“We are excited about the partnership between CAF and Royal Air Maroc, a world-class airline that will provide comfort and fly National Teams participating in our major tournaments.
We are confident that AFCON Morocco 2025 will be the most successful edition in the competition’s history”, he added.
Royal Air Maroc Chairman and CEO Hamid Addou emphasized the airline’s commitment to Africa’s development.
“This historic partnership aligns with our vision of a modern African carrier committed to connecting people, cultures, and passions.
By supporting Africa’s biggest football competitions, we reinforce our role as a facilitator of human and sporting exchange while delivering an exceptional travel experience rooted in African pride.”
Supporting the Continent’s Football Ecosystem
Beyond sponsorship, RAM will play a crucial operational role by supporting:
Mobility of teams and officials
Movement of African fans worldwide
Logistical solutions for CAF delegations and media teams
Transport infrastructure for tournament operations
The partnership is expected to enhance the overall fan experience, improve team travel efficiency, and strengthen Morocco’s positioning as a premier host for global sporting events.
A Celebration of African Football on a Global Stage
With Morocco gearing up for two of Africa’s biggest football events and further responsibilities ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup the CAF-Royal Air Maroc partnership stands as a symbol of Africa’s rising influence in global sport.
For millions of fans at home and across the diaspora, the collaboration promises greater connectivity, smoother travel, and an unforgettable celebration of African football.
Editor’s Note
This report highlights a landmark moment for African football and continental sports diplomacy.
The partnership between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Royal Air Maroc (RAM) reflects a broader shift in Africa’s global sporting influence one driven by rising commercial investment, expanding aviation networks, and Morocco’s rapidly growing role as a premier host of international events.
As CAF prepares for two of its most consequential tournaments, the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 and the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024, this agreement underscores how strategic partnerships are reshaping the infrastructure, mobility, and global visibility of African sport.
With AFCON now drawing more than 600 million viewers worldwide and women’s football experiencing unprecedented growth, the timing of this collaboration is significant.
Morocco’s deepening investments in stadiums, transportation, and tourism, combined with Royal Air Maroc’s expanding fleet and global reach, position the kingdom as one of the continent’s strongest sporting hubs.
This development also signals an important trend: African airlines and corporations are stepping more prominently into sports sponsorship, competing on the international stage and supporting the continent’s competitive evolution.
As the countdown to AFCON 2025 continues, this partnership offers not only logistical and commercial benefits but also a symbolic boost for African unity, mobility, and representation in global sports.
The months ahead will reveal how this collaboration shapes the fan experience, strengthens team travel, and contributes to what CAF President Patrice Motsepe predicts could be the most successful AFCON in history.
