This strategic alliance will pioneer peacebuilding initiatives across AU member
states, with a vision to create an international model designed to harness football's universal appeal to address peace, prosperity, and opportunity for Africa’s youth. FFP currently has projects running in Mozambique, Uganda, Nigeria and Ghana. These initiatives will serve as a blueprint for global implementation, positioning Africa as a beacon of innovation and leadership in peace-led development through sport.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Dagmawit Moges Bekele commented: “I am proud to announce a landmark step in peace building through sport. The African Union Peace Fund and Football for Peace, a partnership that leverages football diplomacy as a force for peace across the African continent and beyond. Together, we are launching strategic peacebuilding initiatives across African Union Member States, with a vision to create an internationally blueprinted model designed to harness football's universal appeal to address peace, prosperity, and opportunity for Africa’s youth.”

Central to the partnership is the creation of an AU - Football for Peace Team, a
unique squad of international football superstars athletes, influencers, and diplomats. These peacemakers will champion the AU–FFP alliance on a global stage, raise awareness of its initiatives, and inspire solidarity through exhibitions, and multimedia campaigns in Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia, inspiring action, and advocating for peace from local communities to world stages.

In a moving moment during the signing, Kash Siddiqi's mother stood beside him, whose journey from Uganda to the UK during the regime of Idi Amin inspired his life’s mission. Reflecting on the occasion, Siddiqi shared: “My mother’s journey from Africa to the UK is a testament that sport can give hope no matter what the circumstances. It gave me the opportunity to play international football and now lead Football for Peace. It’s a proud moment to have heritage from Uganda and to now be building this unique initiative for peace—especially after my mother fled conflict under Idi Amin. This is more than football; it’s legacy, it’s healing, and it’s hope.”

The signing ceremony brought together a gathering of international dignitaries, royalty, athletes, and changemakers, including Claude Makelele, Oumar Niasse, Paul Pogba, Harry Redknapp, Dimitar Berbatov, Rachel Yankey OBE, HRH Princess Katerina of Yugoslavia, Makhtar Gueye, HH Sheikha Hend Al Qassemi, Adebayo Akinfenwa, NFL All-Pro Josh Norman and Super Bowl winner Jason Bell, alongside the UK Under Secretary of Equalities and Migration MP Seema Malhotra.