Giants of Africa launches ‘Dribble for Peace’ to expand community basketball courts across the Sahel

The programme, known as Dribble for Peace, is the latest phase of the organisation’s Built Within initiative, launched in 2021 with the ambitious goal of constructing 100 community basketball courts across the African continent.

Five years into the project, Giants of Africa has already built 45 courts across 13 countries.

The newly announced Dribble for Peace campaign seeks to expand that impact into the Sahel, a region facing complex social, environmental, and security challenges.

Ujiri said the initiative is designed to bring opportunities and hope to communities where youth often have limited access to safe recreational spaces and structured development programmes.

“Now we are going to the places that need sport for peace the most,” he said.

“Dribble for Peace will reach more than 10 countries across the Sahel, bringing basketball and opportunity to communities facing conflict, instability, and environmental decline.”

He added that the organisation views basketball not simply as a sport, but as a platform for leadership development and social connection.

“Basketball is more than just a game. It’s a bridge, a way to bring people together across divides, a way to nurture leadership, inspire resilience, and build hope that extends far beyond the court,” Ujiri said.

Expanding into the Sahel

Through the new initiative, Giants of Africa will deepen its presence in several countries where it already operates while entering new communities for the first time.

The programme will build on existing projects in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Senegal and expand into Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, South Sudan, and Sudan.

The initiative was officially launched on March 8 with the unveiling of the organisation’s 45th basketball court in Koulikoro, Mali.

The event brought together local leaders and community members, marking what organisers described as the beginning of a broader effort to strengthen youth development opportunities in the region.

Before the court was formally opened, a women’s coaching clinic was held to support gender inclusion in sports.

Ujiri attended the ceremony alongside local officials, including Aliou Moussa Tamboura, the mayor of Koulikoro, who delivered remarks during the event.

Organisers said the inclusion of the women’s clinic reflects Giants of Africa’s broader focus on promoting gender equity and expanding leadership opportunities for young women through sport.

A new court in Ghana

Giants of Africa is also preparing to unveil its 46th court later this week in the Central Region, Ghana.

The new facility will be located in Nsaba and built in partnership with Michael Blackson, the Ghanaian-American actor and comedian.

Blackson founded the Michael Blackson Academy in 2023 as a tuition-free school aimed at addressing overcrowding in public schools and expanding access to education for children from underprivileged backgrounds.

The new basketball court, constructed on the school’s campus, is expected to complement the academy’s broader mission of supporting youth leadership development and community empowerment.

Ujiri described the collaboration as an example of how local investment and community partnerships can create lasting opportunities for young people.

“It’s powerful to see how Michael has invested back into his community in such a meaningful way,” he said.

“The Michael Blackson Academy is creating real opportunities for young people in Ghana by giving them a place to learn, grow, and believe in themselves.”

“To be able to add a basketball court to the Academy means that their education will only become more rich. Through GOA’s court builds, we seek to teach young people sportsmanship and cooperation, while experiencing the pure joy the game can bring.”

The project marks Giants of Africa’s third basketball court in Ghana.

A broader vision for youth empowerment

Founded in 2003 by Ujiri, Giants of Africa uses basketball as a platform to support youth development across the continent through camps, clinics, and community infrastructure.

Ujiri, who was born in Nigeria, rose through the global basketball system as a player, scout, and executive before becoming one of the most influential figures in the sport.

In 2013 he became the first African-born executive to be named NBA Executive of the Year, and in 2019 he led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA Championship, making the team the first franchise outside the United States to win the title.

In addition to his work with Giants of Africa, Ujiri also co-founded the Zaria Group in 2023, an initiative focused on developing sports, entertainment, and cultural infrastructure across Africa through the construction and management of arenas, stadiums, and surrounding business ecosystems.

Despite these achievements, Ujiri has often said that his work with Giants of Africa remains the most meaningful part of his career, reflecting his long-standing commitment to empowering young people across the continent.

With the launch of Dribble for Peace and the continued expansion of its court-building initiative, the organisation hopes to strengthen opportunities for African youth while using sport as a tool to build community, resilience, and hope in regions facing some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.