Africa Business of Sport Podcast

🌍 Day 1 at The Football Foundation for Africa #AfricaFootballBusinessSummit 🌍 Reflecting on a productive and fruitful business trip to 🇰🇪, I was deeply inspired and immersed in the game-changing conversations at the 3rd edition of the #AfricaFootballBusinessSummit. The first day's panel discussions not only provided valuable insights but also illuminated the immense potential our continent's football landscape has to impact various industries. ✏️ Here are some key insights from today’s panels: ⚽ AFCON’s Role and Vision for 2027 🇰🇪🇺🇬🇹🇿 Discussions focused on to AFCON 2027's influence as a continental event that stimulates growth in industries beyond football across East Africa. As we look toward 2027, cross-national collaborations emerged as essential to create a cohesive and impactful tournament, with an emphasis on building strong regional narratives and networks. Securing corporate investment and government support in these areas will be vital to maximizing the tournament’s legacy across all hosting countries well beyond 2027. 🌐 Leveraging Sporting Events to Drive Trade and Diplomacy Positioning Africa as a top destination for major sporting events was another highlight. This panel delved into the significant economic and diplomatic potential of sports tourism, drawing lessons from other disciplines on structuring events that foster sustainable impact and enhance global connections. I particularly enjoyed absorbing Dr. Kamilla Swart-Arries learnings and anecdotes from her experience during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and its legacy in subsequent years 🇿🇦. 🎤 Media’s Role in African Sports Development On a panel titled "The Role of Media in African Sports Development", I mentioned the transformative strategic importance of the recently signed €245 million facility agreement between New World TV and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), that will see Afreximbank part finance NWTV's acquisition of African sport broadcasting rights. 💸 Asked by our brilliant moderator, SABC Sport Journalist, Nozibusiso Sibiya, I addressed the critical role of the SABC in broadcasting South African national games and CAF competitions on a free-to-air basis, referencing the once-off agreement to broadcast Springboks vs All Blacks on 31 August 2024. 🏈 SABC's recently announced media rights agreement with Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) offers wider access of premium African football properties to a larger South African and Sub-Saharan audience. 📃 Most notably, the agreement DOES NOT include rights to AFCON 2025 🇲🇦. P.S. Honour to have finally met Dr. Gerard Akindes - who has inspired my sports business journey - in-person and share both a table for breakfast and the stage with him. ⭐ ____________ ♻️ If you found this post useful, please reshare it with your network and follow me Jabu Mtwa for #africa #sportbiz views and updates. #afbs #ffa #footballbusiness

🌟 Speaker Announcement: Jabu Mtwa 🌟 We’re excited to introduce Jabu Mtwa, Founder, IOC Young Leader, and Podcaster, as one of the key speakers at the Business of Football Conference on 8 - 9 November 2024 at FNB Stadium! 🎤⚽ Jabu is a rising star in the world of sports business and law. He is the co-host and executive producer of the award-winning Africa Business of Sport Podcast, which has reached over 120 countries and formed partnerships with leading brands like MIZIZI International. With a background in International Relations & Law from the University of the Witwatersrand, as well as qualifications in Sports Law and Management, Jabu is well-versed in both the legal and business aspects of sports. His career also includes experience in corporate law and mergers and acquisitions, making him a dynamic speaker for this conference. As an IOC Young Leader, Jabu has contributed to international sports initiatives and played a vital role at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. He is also the founder of Golden City Football Club, a youth academy in Johannesburg that has thrived under his leadership. 📅 8-9 November 2024 📍 FNB Stadium Don’t miss out – register today! 📩 Email ivanke@ceosinsport.co.za #BusinessOfFootball #SpeakerAnnouncement #SportsInnovation #CEOsInSport #AfricanFootball #JabuMtwa #FootballBusinessConference

I’m excited to contribute to an upcoming webinar hosted by African Union Sports Council and Young African Leaders in Sport, where I will be discussing my journey working in the sports industry and my work on youth employability in sport under the International Olympic Committee – IOC Young Leaders Programme. 🌟 The purpose of this webinar series is to share insights on how Africa’s sports industry can provide meaningful business and professional opportunities for young people across the continent to generate income and form livelihoods. With youth unemployment being one of Africa's most pressing issues, I will be specifically highlighting how sport can be a transformative vehicle for job creation in tackling youth unemployment across the continent. ⛹🏾💵 I commend the collaborative efforts of the African Union Sports Council and Young African Leaders in Sport, which I am a Founding Member of, for facilitating dialogue for the sole purpose of empowering African youth with the knowledge and tools to leverage the synergies between the sports industry and employment opportunities. 🌱 🎟️ Register now for the webinar, which takes place on 31 October, aptly scheduled on the day we will mark two years until the #Dakar2026 Youth Olympic Games. ____________ ♻️ If you found this post useful, please reshare it with your network and follow me Jabu Mtwa and Africa Business of Sport Podcast for #africa #sportbiz views and updates. #ausc #employability #youth

We are delighted to have Jabu Mtwa join us as a speaker at the Africa Football Business Summit 2024. Jabu Mtwa is an emerging leader in #sportsbusiness and law, widely recognised for his multifaceted career. Jabu is the Executive Producer and Co-Host of the award-winning Africa Business of Sport Podcast, which has become the #1 #sportbusiness podcast in #Africa, featuring interviews with key figures from organisations like FIFA, International Olympic Committee – IOC, and the CAF Confederation of African Football. In just two years, the podcast has built a global audience spanning over 120 countries and secured brand partnerships, including a sports fashion collaboration with MIZIZI International. Jabu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Law from the University of the Witwatersrand and has pursued further qualifications in Sports Law and Sports Management from the University of Pretoria and the University of Cape Town, respectively. An aspiring attorney with experience at leading law firms, he is concluding his legal studies at Wits School of Law. Beyond his podcast, Jabu is an IOC Young Leader 2023-2026 and contributes to the IOC Young Leaders In Action Newsletter as part of an international editorial team. In his involvement in the IOC Young Leaders Programme, his project development concerns the use of Africa’s rapidly growing sports economy to tackle youth unemployment across the continent. He also served as a National Olympic Committee Assistant at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, playing a key role in assisting Team Great Britain with operational and event preparation as a volunteer before and during the Games. Outside of sports, Jabu remains actively engaged in youth advocacy matters through his involvement in the South African BRICS+ Youth Association and Young African Leaders in Sport. In his entrepreneurial ventures, Jabu founded Golden City Football Club, a community-based football club and youth academy in Johannesburg, in 2022. Under his leadership, the club achieved notable success in local leagues and secured investments, emphasising his strategic vision and leadership in sports development. Jabu's career highlights reflect his dedication to fostering growth in sports law, business, and development in Africa, with a keen interest in leveraging media, entrepreneurship, and legal expertise for sports innovation. Welcome, Jabu! #AFBSummit #AFBS2024 #Enterprenuership #Leadership #TransformingOurGame Register for the Summit. https://lnkd.in/dkh_ccPD

🥊 PFL AFRICA SET TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF MMA 🥊 So... it's settled. In a continent with a heritage of ancient fighting games and wrestling, brimming with a vast athletic talent pool, the Professional Fighters League has gained crucial first-mover advantage and looks set to revolutionise MMA in Africa. 📊 The PFL's innovative international expansion model has proven to be a game-changer, an effort directed towards becoming the Champions League of MMA. The league's pioneering sports-season format and fighter-centric approach has redefined the globalisation and competitive nature of MMA. Following the success of PFL Europe and PFL Middle East, the PFL has announced the imminent launch of PFL Africa, with none other than Francis Ngannou as its Chairman. 🌍 🎙️ We had the honour of hosting PFL Founder & Chairman Donn Davis on the Africa Business of Sport Podcast for his first long-form interview on the PFL’s strategic expansion into Africa. Packed with exclusive announcements, the interview highlighted key aspects that will define the growth of PFL Africa over the coming years. Some of my main takeaways from our conversation were: 🎯 PFL Africa's Marketing Strategy: Don mentioned that only 50 million people in Africa currently have access to MMA, with many UFC fights behind a double paywall. PFL Africa has a bold vision to attract a viewership of 1 billion people and make MMA the second-favorite sport for Africans. 🥋 To achieve this, PFL Africa fights will be available on linear TV and online streaming, with two fights from a 10-match fight card available for free, aptly named the "People's Fights". 📱 💰 PFL Africa's Financial Strategy: Donn emphasised that achieving ROI for PFL Africa will require a long-term approach. Africa is an emerging market in terms of paying media rights, securing sponsors, and generating ticket revenue. This is why Donn alongside PFL investors including SURJ Sports Investment will be adopt a long-term economic outlook for PFL Africa. 💹 In the interview, Donn hinted that PFL Africa will initially adopt a penetration pricing strategy, with tickets for some fights priced as low as $1 in certain markets, making live MMA more accessible to everyone. 🎟️ 🎥 Watch or listen to PFL Founder & Chairman Donn Davis' first long-form interview about PFL Africa exclusively on Africa Business of Sport Podcast on Apple or Spotify. ____________ ♻️ If you found this post useful, please reshare it with your network and follow me Jabu Mtwa and Africa Business of Sport Podcast for #africa #sportbiz views and updates. #mma #pflafrica #sportbiz

🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT🚨 🎙️In this episode, Edem and Jabu sit down with the Founder & Chairman of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), Donn Davis, to discuss the highly anticipated launch of #PFLAfrica. In an exclusive interview, Donn extensively explains the key drivers behind the PFL’s strategic expansion to Africa, the significant role played by PFL Africa Chairman #Francis #Ngannou in the formation of the new PFL regional league, and PFL Africa’s unprecedented ticketing and broadcasting model. Donn also touches on the PFL’s unique sports-season format, the $100m minority stake investment from SURJ Sports Investments, and the PFL’s proven international expansion model following the success of PFL Europe and PFL Middle East. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/gKD2yrAA ---------------- 👜 Listeners of our podcast can visit ⁠⁠⁠mizizishop.com⁠⁠⁠ and enter our special discount code "ABSP20" at checkout to receive a 20% off discount on any MIZIZI International merchandise. ------------------- ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📲 Watch or listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast #ABSP #PFL #PFLAfrica #MMA #FrancisNgannou #Sportsbiz #Sportscontent #LinkedInsports #Sportspodcast

🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT🚨 🎙️In this episode, Founder and Head of Partnerships at the The World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA), Dan Wood, joins Edem and Shon to discuss the evolution of freestyle or "street" football, the strategies WFFA is employing to promote freestyle football across Africa and the efforts being made by WFFA to professionalise the sport. Dan also highlights how WFFA's partnership with Predator Energy and Fury Energy aims to unlock the growth of freestyle football in four key African markets through community-based initiatives. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/dtBNX4e3 ---------------- 👜 Listeners of our podcast can visit ⁠⁠⁠mizizishop.com⁠⁠⁠ and enter our special discount code "ABSP20" at checkout to receive a 20% off discount on any MIZIZI International merchandise. ------------------- ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📲 Watch or listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast #ABSP #WFFA #StreetFootball #Sportsbiz #Sportscontent #LinkedInsports #Sportspodcast

The First Ever Football Business Conference in 🇿🇦... HERE WE GO! 📝 I'm thrilled to share that I will be speaking at the inaugural Business of Football Conference at FNB Stadium on 8-9 November! 🏟️⚽ This groundbreaking event is set to bring together South Africa’s football and business communities for two days of insightful discussions, networking, and learning. The conference presents a unique opportunity to explore the inner workings of professional football and hear from some of the most influential figures and experts in the South African football industry. 📊💼 🌠 The star-studded list of speakers I will be joining at the Conference include leading South African sports lawyer Evert De Bruyn, Sporting Director of Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. Flemming Berg, FIFA-licensed football agent Jack Kearns, Head of Recruitment at Stellenbosch FC Brendon Fourie, SuperSport Schools CEO Kelvin Watt and Cash N Sport Founder Nqobile Ndlovu. 📆 Looking forward to seeing you at FNB Stadium for a historic event for South Africa's sport business ecosystem. 🎟️ Get your ticket today by emailing ivanke@ceosinsport.com! De Bruyn Attorneys CEO's in Sport Stadium Management SA The South African Breweries

🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT🚨 🎙️ In this episode, Author of The Athlete Brand Book, Thomas van Schaik, joins Edem and Shon for a comprehensive review of his 600-page book detailing the essential principles of brand-building for athletes. In an extensive deep dive into the modern world of athlete branding, Thomas discusses his five-step rule for athletes wanting to create a personal brand, how athletes from Africa and the world should navigate personal branding in the digital era, and the common challenges athletes face when building a brand. Using leading Olympians such as Simone Biles and Letsile Tebogo as case studies, Thomas breaks down why and how athletes should leverage personal branding to attract more commercial sponsorship and foster community engagement with their fans. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/d5uwx28R ---------------- 👜 Listeners of our podcast can visit ⁠⁠⁠mizizishop.com⁠⁠⁠ and enter our special discount code "ABSP20" at checkout to receive a 20% off discount on any MIZIZI International merchandise. ------------------- ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📲 Watch or listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast #ABSP #AthleteBranding #AthleteMarketing #Sportsbiz #Sportscontent #LinkedInsports #Sportspodcast

🚨NEW EPISODE ALERT🚨 🎙️ In this episode, Author of The Athlete Brand Book, Thomas van Schaik, joins Edem and Shon for a comprehensive review of his 600-page book detailing the essential principles of brand-building for athletes. In an extensive deep dive into the modern world of athlete branding, Thomas discusses his five-step rule for athletes wanting to create a personal brand, how athletes from Africa and the world should navigate personal branding in the digital era, and the common challenges athletes face when building a brand. Using leading Olympians such as Simone Biles and Letsile Tebogo as case studies, Thomas breaks down why and how athletes should leverage personal branding to attract more commercial sponsorship and foster community engagement with their fans. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/d5uwx28R ---------------- 👜 Listeners of our podcast can visit ⁠⁠⁠mizizishop.com⁠⁠⁠ and enter our special discount code "ABSP20" at checkout to receive a 20% off discount on any MIZIZI International merchandise. ------------------- ⭐ The best way to support the podcast is to subscribe, share and leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📲 Watch or listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 🥇 Africa Business of Sport Podcast - Africa's #1 sport business podcast #ABSP #AthleteBranding #AthleteMarketing #Sportsbiz #Sportscontent #LinkedInsports #Sportspodcast