Africa rising: turning sporting potential into success

Purpose: The purpose of this essay is to provide a better understanding of Africa's sport industry and demonstrate how the industry can be transformed. Design/methodology/approach: To do so, the authors rely on their varied experiences within Africa's sport ecosystem. This includes reflections based on consuming sport in Africa, studying the sport business landscape, and first-hand experiences working inside African sport organizations. Findings: The authors find that systemic challenges restrict the growth of Africa's sport industry; however, they maintain there are also reasons to be optimistic about the prospects of the industry. Research limitations/implications: While not an exhaustive list, the authors' commentary defines various research opportunities for scholars interested in both better understanding and improving Africa's sport industry. Practical implications: The stated challenges and proposed strategies have the potential to inform decision-makers within Africa's sport ecosystem. Social implications: Crucial to the continued growth and development of the continent, the authors propose that investments in sport can drive broader economic and social development beyond sport. Originality/value: The authors address the dearth of academic literature on Africa's sport industry, while also inviting more researchers to undertake research agendas that enhance Africa.