Why Women’s Sports in Africa Are Having a Defining Moment
Women’s sports are no longer on the sidelines. With record-breaking tournaments, rising media coverage, and surging fan bases, female athletes are claiming their place in the global spotlight and Africa is right at the heart of the movement.
From packed stadiums at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to billion-dollar projections for women’s leagues, the momentum is global. Deloitte estimates the women’s sports industry will hit $2.35 billion by 2025, more than doubling in just two years.
Crucially, this shift isn’t confined to Europe or North America. In Africa, energy is just as powerful and arguably more transformative. Grassroots development, rising talent, and forward-thinking partners like 1xBet are helping to drive a cultural shift that puts African women at the center of sport’s future.
Africa Steps Up
During FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, three African teams (Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco) made history by reaching the knockout rounds, a first for the continent. Morocco’s debut victories and Nigeria’s unbeaten group run were huge milestones.
On the ground, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has expanded and drawn record crowds. According to CAF, 47 out of 54 countries now have senior women’s teams, and 91% run top-flight leagues – a major leap in less than a decade.
With over 150,000 registered female players and 70% of them under 20, Africa has a pipeline of talent that could shape the future of global sport.
Africa is seeing a surge in spectatorship. When Nigeria faced England at the World Cup, viewership soared across the continent. WAFCON has gained traction thanks to strong local promotion, especially in host countries like Morocco. The message is clear: fans do show up for women’s sports.
1xWoman: Changing the Game From Within
In Africa, sport is a platform for empowerment. Girls gain access to education, leadership, and visibility. Behind every movement, there are voices that spark change. One of them is Suo Chapele, the first female commentator in Pidgin in Nigeria’s history and also the chief of the Urhobo people. Her story is not just one of personal triumph, but of cultural transformation.
In a live broadcast titled “She Plays, She Leads”, Suo joined 1xBet to unveil 1xWoman — a platform built not just to highlight women in sport, but to support their growth at every level. “If you raise a woman, you raise a nation,” she said, and this message has become the heart of the initiative.
The 1xWoman project goes beyond traditional campaigns. It plans to offer opportunities to empower young African women – whether they are athletes, commentators, coaches, or creators. It’s about changing the culture around women in sport from the inside out.
Through Suo and 1xWoman, 1xBet is building a long-term ecosystem where women are supported, seen, and celebrated. The brand’s ongoing work in grassroots development, youth initiatives, and media mentorship proves one thing clearly: Supporting women in sport is not charity. It’s strategy. It’s impact. It’s the future.
Watch the full “She Plays, She Leads” live recording with Suo Chapele on 1xBet Nigeria’s YouTube channel.
What’s Next?
Women’s sport in Africa isn’t a trend. It’s a transformation. With grassroots programs, institutional support, and brand partners like 1xBet, the future looks bold, bright, and decidedly female.
More initiatives under the 1xWoman platform are on the way — stay tuned via 1xBet’s official social media channels:
https://www.instagram.com/1xbet_nigeria_official
https://www.facebook.com/1xbet.nigeria.official/
https://twitter.com/1xbetngofficial
