DEVELOPMENT TOPICS: Sports development
The sports economy in Africa has the potential to be a significant driver of socioeconomic growth. On a continent where poverty and social challenges remain widespread, sport offers hope, inclusion, and a pathway to empowerment.
Although only a few sporting codes receive substantial funding, sports development programmes can reach young people across diverse communities, protecting at-risk youth and fostering social inclusion.
These programmes are not only about physical activity – they also focus on essential life skills, education, nutrition, leadership, gender equality, and career development.
Investing in sports development creates opportunities beyond the playing field. It encourages the training of coaches, educators, and mentors, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of role models and leaders.
Although sport accounts for only 0.5% of Africa’s GDP, compared to around 3% globally, it has the potential to drive economic growth on the continent.
The importance of investing in sports development
Private-sector investment in sports development has transformative effects on communities. It helps curb youth violence, promotes gender equality, and enhances social skills.
Participating in sports makes young people more resilient, enhances mental and physical health, and helps combat non-communicable diseases.
It also plays a crucial role in empowering marginalised groups, girls, young women, and people with disabilities.
To improve outcomes in the sector, companies can invest by:
- Funding grassroots sports programmes by investing in youth sports academies, school programmes, and community leagues.
- Sponsoring coaching and leadership training, including coaches, referees, and sports educators.
- Providing sports infrastructure by building and maintaining sports facilities in underserved communities.
- Integrating sports with life skills and education.
- Promoting gender equality in sports by encouraging girls to participate in traditionally male-dominated sports.
- Aligning corporate social responsibility initiatives with sports development goals to maximise impact.
The potential of sports development in Africa extends far beyond recreation. It serves as a powerful tool for education, economic empowerment, and social transformation.
By investing in sustainable healthcare solutions, companies can help improve quality of life, reduce disease burdens, and promote economic development.
Discover how your company can drive meaningful impact by exploring insights on CSI in sports development.
National context
- The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) was allocated R6.3 billion in 2025/26, constituting 0.2% of the consolidated government expenditure of R2.59 trillion for the year. Of this, Recreation Development and Sport Promotion was allocated R1.2 billion, including R627 million for sports equipment and attire for schools, hubs and clubs; R24 million for the construction of 30 community outdoor gyms and children’s play parks in municipal open spaces; R53 million to support 208 school sports programmes at the district level, enhancing school-based leagues and competitions; and R72 million to enable 5 000 learners to participate in the National School Sports Championships.
- In 2025, in its annual performance plan briefing, the DSAC estimated that sport contributes 4.2% to GDP and sustains approximately 1.1 million jobs, representing between 7% and 8% of the country’s employment.
- In September 2024, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and DSAC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative framework between the departments to implement extracurricular programmes, including school sports programmes, throughout the country. Under this agreement, R250 million was allocated in 2025/26 to enhance school sports programmes.
- The Women in Sport Policy Framework was approved by cabinet in December 2024. It addresses gender disparities in participation, leadership, governance and visibility, and promotes equal pay, professional recognition and structured programmes to overcome barriers such as funding and sponsorship gaps.
- An impact analysis of the 2024 edition of the SA20 cricket tournament, which drew in sponsorship and funding from India and other countries, found that the event generated total direct expenditure of R1.5 billion, up from R1.4 billion in 2023.
Overview of CSI spend
Sports development was supported by 30% of companies and received 2% of average CSI expenditure.
- Multidisciplinary sport continued to receive the highest percentage of funding in this sector, averaging 32% in 2025 (compared to 33% in 2024).
- Soccer received the second-largest share of CSI funding for sports development at 15% in 2025, a decline from 22% in 2024.
- Twelve percent of average CSI spend for sports development went to other sporting codes, while 10% consisted of non-specific general donations in 2025.
- All other sporting codes received an average allocation of less than 10% in 2025: athletics (9%), basketball and netball (6%), cricket (5%), cycling (5%) and water-based sports (5%). Rugby was the least supported sporting code at only 1% on average.
