These African women own major stakes in foreign football clubs, showcasing African influence in international sports business.
The latest addition to this elite group is international superstar and Grammy Award winner Tems, who recently announced her high-stakes investment in an American football club.
This bold move has positioned her not only as a musician but also as a strategic entrepreneur, making her the first African woman to own a U.S.-based football club.
She recently joined the ownership group of San Diego FC, a Major League Soccer (MLS) club set to debut in the 2025 season.
Tems expressed her excitement about the opportunity, highlighting football’s power to unite people and its cultural significance.
Her investment was made through her company, The Leading Vibe, further solidifying her presence in the business world beyond music.
However, Tems (Nigerian) is not alone in this space; she follows a trail already blazed by other industrious African women who have ventured into football investments.
While men mostly dominate investments in the football league, these women are reshaping the industry. Their presence signals a shift in sports business, gender representation, and African economic influence in global football.
As more African women take on key roles in football ownership, the landscape of global sports investment is set to become more diverse and inclusive.
African female club owners
1. Nneka Ede (Nigeria) – Nneka Ede is a Nigerian businesswoman who made waves by acquiring significant stakes in an European football club. In 2020, she acquired Lusitano Ginásio Clube, Futebol, SAD, a Portuguese third-division club.
Her acquisition was a significant milestone for African women in football club ownership, demonstrating the growing influence of African entrepreneurs in global sports.
2. Eniola Aluko (Nigeria) – The former England international footballer also made history by becoming one of the first African women to own a football club in Italy.
She is a British-Nigerian football executive, football broadcaster and former professional player who played as a winger and striker.
Eniola Aluko, who was primarily focused on football broadcasting since her retirement, has now ventured into sports ownership, joining the Mercury 13 group.
She acquired a significant stake in FC Como Women through Mercury 13, a sports investment group with a $100 million backing.
Aluko’s role in club ownership follows her experience as a football director and commentator
3. Akosua Puni Essien is a Ghanaian businesswoman and philanthropist known for her involvement in football ownership.
She gained international recognition in 2017 when she purchased Como 1907, an Italian football club, for €237,000 at an auction after the club had gone bankrupt.
This acquisition made her one of the first African women to own a European football club.
Puni Essien is also well-known as the wife of former Ghanaian footballer Michael Essien, who had a successful career playing for clubs such as Chelsea, Real Madrid, and AC Milan.
