Dribbling Towards the Future: NBA Africa Partners with Safaricom for Kenya’s Youth Basketball Development

NBA Africa, in partnership with Safaricom, has launched a significant youth basketball initiative that aims to engage over 10,000 Kenyan youngsters in 2024.

This extensive program is set to be the largest of its kind in East Africa, with Safaricom joining as an Official Partner of the Jr. NBA in Kenya.

The program will feature four regional Jr. NBA tournaments for boys and girls under the age of 16, leading up to a national tournament with 16 teams. Additionally, the initiative will offer Jr. NBA Fit clinics, seminars to develop life skills, coaching workshops, and a specialized camp for 100 elite high-school basketball players.

These top players from the camp will also have the chance to join NBA Africa’s premier development programs on the continent.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its role in promoting physical activity and instilling valuable life lessons through sports. Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa highlighted the company’s long-standing commitment to nurturing Kenyan sports talent and its alignment with Safaricom’s mission to transform lives.

In November 2023, NBA Africa expanded its presence by establishing a subsidiary in Nairobi, Kenya, led by Michael Finley. This new office joins NBA Africa’s network of offices across the continent, including locations in Cairo, Dakar, Johannesburg, and Lagos.

Further information about the Jr. NBA tournaments and the elite camp will be shared in due course.

NBA Africa, an arm of the NBA, is dedicated to growing the game of basketball across Africa. It oversees the league’s business operations, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and has established subsidiaries in several African cities.

NBA Africa’s initiatives focus on expanding basketball access through youth and elite programs, social responsibility projects, media partnerships, and more. The BAL, a collaboration with FIBA, features 12 African club teams and commenced its fourth season in March 2024. NBA content is broadcasted in all 54 African nations, and the NBA has successfully hosted sold-out exhibition matches on the continent since 2015.