National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa and Opportunity International Unveil New Basketball Court in Nairobi, Kenya . photo courtesy
NBA Africa and Opportunity International, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty, have taken significant steps toward their goal of building 1,000 basketball courts across Africa over the next decade.
On May 19, 2025, the two organizations unveiled a new outdoor basketball court at Highland School in Nyamata, Rwanda, followed by the opening of a second court on May 27 at Loiswell Academy in Nairobi, Kenya.
Both courts are equipped with new basketball hoops and changing room facilities, offering safe, inclusive spaces for boys and girls to engage in the sport.
These openings mark significant milestones in NBA Africa’s grassroots development efforts and its broader mission to promote social inclusion and community well-being.
Beyond infrastructure, the collaboration includes development programs for coaches and teachers in both Rwanda and Kenya.
These programs aim to equip them with essential skills and best practices in coaching, refereeing, game operations, event management, and program administration to ensure sustained growth of the sport at the grassroots level
The Nairobi ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA clinic for 100 youth aged 16 and under.
The Rwanda court unveiling coincided with the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference group phase.
It included a similar youth clinic attended by 80 boys and girls, as well as a coaching clinic for over 50 local coaches.
Rosemary Akamanzi, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, welcomed the initiative:
“The launch of this beautiful new court in Kigali reflects our commitment to making basketball more accessible to Rwandan boys and girls. We look forward to continuing to work with Opportunity International to use basketball to positively impact youth and communities in Rwanda, Kenya, and across East Africa.”
The partnership between NBA Africa and Opportunity International was first announced in October 2024 during a press conference in Nairobi.
Atul Tandon, CEO of Opportunity International, emphasized the long-term impact:
“This collaboration will equip young people with more than just athletic skill—it will foster confidence, teamwork, and the hope of a brighter future. As we continue our mission to ensure more children attend better schools, these new courts pave the way for better learning outcomes, more opportunities, and stronger communities.”
Through the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program, NBA Africa reached over 350,000 youth across the continent in 2024, focusing on basketball fundamentals and life skills like teamwork, respect, and community engagement.
Opportunity International’s Education Finance program has released more than $1 billion in capital since 2012, benefitting over 16 million children globally.
About NBA Africa
NBA Africa is the National Basketball Association’s dedicated entity for operations on the African continent. It aims to grow basketball through youth development, elite training, and social impact initiatives—including the Basketball Africa League (BAL)—while expanding the NBA’s presence and accessibility across Africa.
About Opportunity International
Opportunity International is a global nonprofit that provides innovative financial services, training, and support to help people in poverty build sustainable livelihoods and access quality education.
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