With nearly 100,000 jobs created and a 1.8-fold return on revenues and investments, AFCON 2025 allowed Morocco to demonstrate its organizational strength while generating significant economic spillovers across key development sectors, according to Minister Ryad Mezzour. DR ‹ › By hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), Morocco has achieved «a decade of infrastructure development in just 24 months», according to Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade. Speaking to France 24 the day after the tournament's final, Mezzour delivered a positive economic assessment, highlighting tangible benefits «for the population, particularly in transport, healthcare, and employment». The minister pointed to a 1.8 multiplier effect on revenues and investments linked to the tournament. He said AFCON 2025 also contributed to Morocco's economic growth, which reached 4.5% in 2025, with more than 100,000 jobs created and a noticeable boost in consumption. According to Mezzour, the edition ranks «among the most profitable in history», both for the host country and for the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This assessment mirrors CAF's own conclusions. The continental body recently described AFCON 2025 as «the greatest commercial success in the history of African football», noting that the competition generated an increase of more than 90% in CAF's AFCON-related revenues. A springboard for industry and commerce Mezzour emphasized that more than 3,000 industrial companies were mobilized to deliver «world-class infrastructure and a comprehensive service network», contributing to all AFCON-related projects. He stressed that investments went far beyond stadiums, encompassing roads, airport expansions, rail upgrades, and public transport, including buses. On the commercial front, the minister cited an estimated increase of between 25% and 30% in activity. «We don't yet have the final figures, but the initial feedback is extremely encouraging», he said. «A country capable of hosting a world-class competition is the result of more than 25 years of work under the leadership of His Majesty the King. We are very proud to have organized an event of this level, one that has nothing to envy of other major international competitions», Mezzour added. In financial terms, the minister said around 80% of the sports investments made for AFCON 2025 have already been recouped. More than a continental tournament, he described the event as «a full-scale rehearsal for the 2030 World Cup», which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. AFCON 2025, he said, confirmed Morocco's «recognized and certified success at all levels, hosting capacity, logistics, and security». «Football ignites passions» While Morocco's sporting ambition was to win the tournament, Mezzour said finishing second did little to diminish the sense of pride generated by the quality of the organization. Reacting to the incidents that marred the final, the minister acknowledged that emotions sometimes run high. «Football ignites passions. Supporters can be excessive, just as players and coaches can be. But all's well that ends well», he said. Addressing the social demands voiced by Generation Z during protests ahead of AFCON 2025, Mezzour referred to «a youth expressing its need for better healthcare and quality education», while assuring that «intensive work is underway» to address these concerns. «This same youth showed extraordinary enthusiasm, and we also saw some disappointment on Sunday night after Senegal's victory, which I congratulate. Morocco remains a country united behind its King, a country that works, delivers, and shows the world that its development is a serious and long-term endeavor», he said. Finally, commenting on the national team's performance, Mezzour said he was «very proud» of the players. «You have shown a Moroccan youth that fights, that is proud and talented», he said, also thanking the coaching staff and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
