When Sport for Development meets the Finance Sector

Impressions from the Sport Investment Forum at the Finance in Common Summit in Cape Town

Sport for Development is on the rise – this is at least the impression you get listening to various actors from the sports and development finance sector. From February 26 – 28, more than 530 public development banks accounting for $23 trillion in assets (10-12 % of annual investments globally) met in Cape Town for the 2025 Finance in Common Summit. As part of the Summit, the Sports Investment Forum brought together stakeholders from the sports, the sport for development and the finance sector to discuss progress and challenges in the sector.

The high-level session intended to strengthen and affirm commitments to harness sport as a lever for social, economic, and environmental impact. The private sector becomes increasingly interested in investing in the development of sports and sport for development. Sport is seen as a dynamic economic sector, accounting for 2% to 3% of global GDP, according to the OECD. Its growth rate of 5% surpasses that of the global economy. However, sport often represents less than 0.2% of national budgets, resulting in deficits in local sports infrastructure and training, significantly limiting participation in physical and sports activities worldwide.

Overall, the sport for development sector remains highly dynamic with interesting opportunities to cooperate with development banks and private sector partners. Investments in sport (for development) are seen as both economically and financially attractive with significant financial and social returns.

In a more and more unsecure and volatile world with a lot of pressure on available resources, isn’t that great news for the future of sport for development?