FIFA Lead for Women’s Football Development – Africa, Doreen Nabwire, has highlighted the rapid growth of the women’s game across the continent and the East African region during the launch of the FUFA Women Super League Commercial Strategy held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
Nabwire reflected on the limited opportunities previously available to women footballers, noting that despite strong regional potential, a lack of structures, exposure and development pathways hindered talent progression.
‘The women’s game has come a very long way, especially in this continent and this region. In previous generations, we had massive potential across East Africa, but due to lack of structures, opportunities and exposure, we were not able to showcase what the region had to offer,’ she said.
She described the challenge as both continental and global, but noted that women’s football has gained significant momentum in recent years.
Impact of FIFA Women’s World Cups on global growth
Nabwire pointed to the FIFA Women’s World Cups in France in 2019 and Australia and New Zealand in 2023 as major catalysts for the accelerated development of women’s football worldwide.
‘Following the success of the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, women’s football is slowly gaining momentum across the world, this region and the continent itself has not been left behind,’ she noted.
She explained that the success of the tournaments prompted FIFA to introduce targeted development programmes aimed at strengthening the game at every level.
FIFA development initiatives and capacity building
Nabwire outlined FIFA’s comprehensive development framework, which spans grassroots participation through to national team football.
‘After the two successful World Cups, FIFA came up with development programmes to address different aspects of the game, from grassroots all the way to national teams,’ she said.
She highlighted ongoing initiatives including campaigns and festivals to increase the number of girls playing football globally, the introduction and strengthening of competitions and leagues, and capacity building for administrators and match officials.
Nabwire also emphasised FIFA’s focus on women in football leadership and governance.
‘We are also building capacity for women in football leadership and ensuring that women have voices on decision-making bodies that will champion the women’s game,’ she added.
Strengthening pathways for sustainable growth
Nabwire concluded by reiterating FIFA’s commitment to supporting Member Associations through structured programmes that create sustainable pathways for women’s football development, aligning grassroots participation with elite competition and leadership representation.
