The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a significant increase in the prize money for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), offering a top prize of $1 million (over ₦1.5 billion) to the eventual winners.
The announcement, made ahead of the tournament scheduled to hold in Morocco, raises the total prize pool by 45 per cent to USD 3.475 million.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the adjustment is in line with the organisation’s strategic commitment to the growth of women’s football on the continent.
“CAF is continuing with its commitment to the development and growth of women’s football in Africa,” Motsepe said. “The 100% increase in the prize money of the winner of WAFCON Morocco 2024 and the 45% total increase in the prize money of this competition should contribute to the increase of the salaries of women football players, coaches and employees.”
He added that the standard of African women’s football is improving and attracting growing interest from fans, sponsors, and broadcasters.
According to CAF’s breakdown, the prize allocations for the 2024 tournament include Winner: $1,000,000; Runner-up: $500,000; Third Place: $350,000; Fourth Place: $300,000; Quarter-finalists: $200,000 each; Third in Group: $150,000; Fourth in Group: $125,000.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria, nine-time WAFCON champions, are expected to be among the leading contenders. In 2018, Nigeria earned USD 200,000 for their title win—a sum that will now be awarded to teams that exit at the quarter-final stage under the revised structure.
The prize boost forms part of CAF’s broader 2021–2025 Women’s Football Action Plan, which includes investments in youth and grassroots programmes such as the CAF Women’s Champions League and the African Schools Football Championship
The 2022 edition of WAFCON, also hosted by Morocco, saw record-breaking attendance, with over 45,000 spectators at the semi-final between Nigeria and the host nation. South Africa won that tournament, claiming their first WAFCON title and a then-record USD 500,000 prize.
Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, and Zambia all qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup following their WAFCON performances.
CAF says the increased prize package for WAFCON 2024 is designed to incentivise performance and raise the profile of women’s football across Africa.
