Sport Nigeria Partners with Africa Soft Power Summit, Launches Sports Africa Investment Summit (SAIS)
Posted on Fri, Aug 2, 2024 8:52 AM
In a strategic move to elevate the sports industry across the continent, Sports Nigeria recently partnered with Africa Soft Power, the organizers of the Africa Soft Power Summit. This collaboration provided a platform for the soft launch of our flagship event, the Sports Africa Investment Summit (SAIS).
Unveiling SAIS at the Africa Soft Power Summit
The Africa Soft Power Summit hosted various activities, including a notable panel discussion titled "Powering Sports Economy through Innovation and Inclusion." This event was the perfect backdrop for unveiling the Sports Africa Investment Summit, a key milestone in our mission to revolutionize Africa's sports industry.
A Vision for Africa's Sports Industry
Our CEO, Ms. Nkechi Obi, delivered a powerful message, urging Africa to harness its own resources and create a robust market to attract investment into the sports industry. She emphasized the importance of developing the entire value chain to drive the growth of sports businesses across the continent.
Ms. Obi highlighted that Africa has traditionally viewed sports primarily through the lens of athletes. However, she pointed out that sports is unique in offering athletes the potential for dual careers. She stressed the need for Africa to consume its own products and shift towards manufacturing sports goods and services for global markets.
The Sports Africa Investment Summit: A Catalyst for Change
Ms. Obi described the Sports Africa Investment Summit as a crucial gathering aimed at discussing the essential steps for building a viable sports industry in Africa. The summit will focus on attracting manufacturers to produce sports goods and equipment locally and securing the necessary investments to develop infrastructure and facilities that promote widespread participation and professionalization in sports.
Invitation to Key Stakeholders
Ms. Obi extended an open invitation to the audience and delegates to attend SAIS as key stakeholders from the sports industry value chain and related services converge in Nigeria. She highlighted Nigeria's pressing need for 7,000 community sports facilities and announced Sport Nigeria's commitment to delivering 3,000 of these infrastructures. This effort aims to enhance community relations, boost participation in sports and outdoor activities, and foster a culture of innovative thinking. Africa as a whole will require at least 100,000 community facilities to adequately serve its population.
Driving the Commercialization of Sports in Nigeria
To advance the commercialization of sports in Nigeria, over 200 stadiums and venues are needed within the next decade. This ambitious plan is projected to create 3-5 million jobs (both direct and indirect) and contribute significantly to the national economy through revenue generation and taxes.
Looking Ahead: Sports Africa Investment Summit 2024
The Sports Africa Investment Summit 2024 promises to be a landmark event, bringing together visionary investors, sports infrastructure stakeholders, business leaders, innovative thinkers, value chain providers, thought leaders, and members of the Diaspora. It will serve as a catalyst for fostering domestic consumption of locally produced sports content in Africa, paving the way for a dynamic and self-sustaining sports industry on the continent.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Sports Africa Investment Summit 2024, as we work towards unlocking Africa's full potential in the global sports arena.