The CAF Strategy Conference opened in Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cabo Verde on Wednesday, launching three days of high-level discussions focused on the future of African football. The first session centred on the CAF Technical and Development Committee meeting, bringing together technical officials, former international players, and development experts.

CAF Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu was present as delegates began examining how to strengthen football structures across the confederation's 54 Member Associations.

Prominent voices in the room

Former Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell, one of Africa's most respected footballing figures, participated in the technical discussions as a member of CAF's Committee for Technical Development. Bell brings decades of experience from a distinguished career spanning African and European football.

Also contributing was former DR Congo international defender Herita Ilunga, whose career took him to French club Saint-Étienne and English Premier League side West Ham United. Ilunga's perspective as a former elite European-based player adds weight to conversations around player-development pathways and technical structures.

Development at the heart of day one

The decision to open the Conference with technical and development matters signals where CAF's priorities lie. The confederation has identified coaching education, youth development, and sustainable football programmes as pillars of long-term competitiveness.

The scale of the investment is already visible: 19,685 coaches were certified across Africa between 2021 and 2026, covering CAF C, B, A, and Pro Licence levels. Wednesday's discussions looked beyond immediate tournament outcomes, targeting the systems needed to produce better players and stronger national teams over the coming years.

Building on Africa's record World Cup showing

The Conference follows Africa's strongest collective performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where a record 10 African nations competed and nine advanced to the knockout stages. CAF has structured the three-day event around two priorities: deepening football development across the continent, and drawing lessons from that World Cup campaign to sustain progress towards 2030.

Thursday's programme will bring together CAF Member Association Presidents for a strategic summit. Friday's session will feature a high-level technical review of Africa's 2026 campaign, with FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger attending alongside coaches Mohamed Ouahbi, Bubista, Hossam Hassan, Sébastien Desabre, and Carlos Queiroz.

With the opening committee meeting now complete, attention in Sal has turned from acknowledging Africa's recent achievements to charting the concrete steps required to build on them.