Tanzanian clubs topped East Africa for the highest transfer fees received at the just concluded mid-season transfer window, with Kenya second amidst moves for the likes of Mohammed Bajaber and Ryan Ogam by foreign clubs.

The 2025 mid-year transfer window shattered records globally, with FIFA reporting unprecedented levels of spending and player mobility. 

Yet while billions flowed across Europe, Africa, and the Americas, East Africa’s numbers told a more mixed story. Kenya earned modest sums, Tanzania cashed in significantly, and Uganda walked away empty-handed — despite the spotlight of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

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Worldwide, men’s football transfer spending hit USD 9.76 billion, up more than 50% from mid-2024, with England topping the list at over USD 3 billion. Women’s football also set a new benchmark, with USD 12.3 million spent and over 1,100 transfers completed.

FIFA’s Emilio García Silvero hailed the surge, noting that the women’s growth in particular reflects “the exponential rise of the game at club level.”

 Liverpool were at the heart of the frenzy, breaking their own transfer record twice in quick succession with the captures of Alexander Isak from Newcastle for €144 million and Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for €125 million. 

They also added Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for around €95 million, making them the single-biggest movers in this window. Manchester United were equally aggressive, investing heavily in new attacking options with the signings of Benjamin Sesko (€76.5m), Matheus Cunha (€74.2m) and Bryan Mbeumo (€75m), while Luis Díaz’s €70m move to Bayern Munich highlighted how even Europe’s established stars were part of the summer’s reshuffle.

Arsenal, too, made their mark by luring Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP in a deal worth around €65.8 million plus add-ons, strengthening their strike force with one of Europe’s most in-demand forwards.

In the women’s game, spending soared to an all-time high of USD 12.3 million. The USA led the way as the biggest spender, investing over USD 4 million—a record for any association in women’s football. 

Among the standout moves was Sophia Smith’s high-profile switch from Portland Thorns to Chelsea Women, which set a new benchmark for NWSL exports to Europe. Germany and England were also among the busiest markets for incoming players, underscoring how the professionalisation of the women’s game is driving both transfer activity and financial growth at unprecedented levels.

But for East Africa, the numbers reveal how uneven the benefits of this booming market are.

According to FIFA’s data, Tanzanian clubs were the biggest East African winners, pulling in USD 1.4 million in transfer fees from outgoing players during the June–September 2025 window. 

Their 58 incoming transfers also highlight the country’s increasingly active domestic league, which continues to attract regional and foreign talent.

Kenya, by contrast, collected only USD 1,250 in fees — modest earnings despite outgoing transfers involving the likes of Mohammed Bajaber, who moved to Simba, Alphonce Omija, who joined ES Sahel, and Ryan Ogam, who is set to join Wolfsberger AC. 

With 18 incoming and 19 outgoing moves, most of Kenya’s activity came via free transfers or low-cost deals, reflecting structural challenges in monetising talent.

Uganda fared worst of all, with USD 0 in transfer revenue despite recording 16 incoming and 13 outgoing transfers.

The figures come less than a month after Kenya co-hosted CHAN 2024 with Tanzania, a tournament that gave East African players a rare international showcase.

 Stars like Ogam shone, and Tanzania’s market gains suggest they’ve capitalised best on that exposure.

For Kenya and Uganda, however, the numbers underline a key problem: visibility does not automatically translate into financial gain. Without stronger scouting networks, better contract structures, and long-term planning, East African clubs risk losing talent for free while wealthier leagues reap the rewards.