Lome: African television stations are demanding full access to all 52 matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Meeting this Saturday in Lome, several African national public and private television channels expressed their disagreement with the new policy for marketing the broadcasting rights for the tournament, set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

According to Burkina Information Agency, this discontent was formally expressed in a statement known as the ‘Lome Declaration.’ The channels criticized the commercialization model adopted by CAF through its exclusive agent, New World TV, labeling it as ‘unacceptable.’ Under the current setup, only 32 of the 52 matches would be available to channels that offer free public service.

The heads of the signatory channels emphasized their commitment to ensuring “full access to all 52 matches” for the public, highlighting AFCON as a unifying event that celebrates African identity and plays a crucial role in social cohesion. They argued that unlike FIFA or UEFA events, AFCON is heavily funded by African states and taxpayers, which includes support for national teams, infrastructure development, and the payment of broadcasting rights by public channels.

They assert that implementing a model inspired by European standards without adopting its financing approach effectively ‘robs African peoples,’ who are then compelled to subscribe to private or foreign channels to watch a competition they have already contributed to financially.

Television broadcasters argue that this approach undermines equal access to a common good and marginalizes vulnerable social groups. They also view it as a challenge to the role and mission of public broadcasting.

The channels have “solemnly” called on CAF to reconsider this model and restore the principle of universal access to all matches for African national televisions that provide a free public service.