FIFA and the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement, AFD) have renewed their memorandum of understanding (MoU) and will continue working together to create positive change in society, with a focus on women's empowerment and education through football. The new agreement was signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and AFD Chief Executive Officer Rémy Rioux in Paris, France. Through their partnership, which began in 2019 with the signing of the first MoU, FIFA and the AFD are pooling their strength and resources to promote unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values around the world, particularly in Africa, through youth-oriented football development programmes. In addition to education and gender equality, FIFA and the AFD will work together on projects involving the protection of children and the promotion of access to sport through the development of infrastructure. The partnership will allow improved collaboration between AFD’s interventions and FIFA programmes such as FIFA Forward and Football for Schools.

“I am very happy that we will continue our strategic alliance with the Agence Française de Développement as it will play an important role in helping us use football as a platform for positive change in society – one of FIFA’s strategic objectives," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “FIFA and the AFD have many shared aims and, by working together, we can make a real difference in the lives of young people, empowering girls and women and helping to provide better education opportunities.”

Mr Rioux added: “This new partnership agreement with FIFA demonstrates our common desire to unite, on the same team, the world of football and that of financial development. Through its impact on education, health, social cohesion and gender equality, football is an accelerator in the field of sustainable development. It opens a space where young people and communities are at the centre of the game to learn, express themselves, and emancipate themselves. By continuing this commitment, we are kicking off, through football, new educational and inclusive perspectives for all.” Additionally, the collaboration will allow the AFD and FIFA to pursue their engagement in the inclusive sport academies project. This programme aims to support the development of sports academies on the African continent while building their capacity around four key themes: education and vocational training, gender equality, safeguarding, and sustainable business models. It has already benefited 16 academies in 11 countries, including the three academies of the member associations of Djibouti, Malawi and Mauritania co-funded by AFD and by FIFA as part of the Forward programme.