Over 320 young athletes from 20 African nations gathered in Kigali, Rwanda for the Giants of Africa Festival 2025, an eight-day celebration blending basketball, education, culture, and entertainment. Held from July 26 to August 2, the festival concluded with electrifying performances by African music icons Ayra Starr, Kizz Daniel, Timaya, The Ben, DJ Senshi, and others—uniting campers, coaches, and the local community under the theme of a borderless Africa.

A Vision of Unity Through Sport and Culture

“Our strength lies in unity,” said Masai Ujiri, Co-Founder of Giants of Africa. “This festival proves that when African youth come together through basketball, music, and culture, they become tomorrow’s leaders. I’m deeply grateful to President Paul Kagame and the people of Rwanda for believing in this shared vision.”

Basketball Excellence on Display

The festival featured a four-day basketball tournament hosted at Kigali Sports City, which includes the iconic BK Arena, Amahoro Stadium, and the newly inaugurated Zaria Court Kigali.

  • Rwanda’s boys team triumphed over Senegal in the finals.
  • Mali’s girls team secured back-to-back championships by defeating Senegal.

An All-Star Game at Zaria Court showcased one standout boy and girl from each participating country, highlighting Africa’s rising basketball talent.

Coaching, Mentorship, and Cross-Cultural Connections

More than 100 coaches, including four from each country, mentored the youth, emphasizing leadership and personal development both on and off the court. To extend their impact, Giants of Africa hosted a special coaching clinic for 100 local Rwandan coaches, featuring expert guidance from NBA coaches and global basketball professionals.

Community Impact and Empowerment

The festival also focused on social responsibility and empowerment through various community initiatives:

  • Participation in Umuganda, Rwanda’s national community service day.
  • Outreach programs aimed at empowering young women.
  • Inspirational talks by international leaders for local youth.

Infrastructure Investment: 3 New Courts Unveiled

In collaboration with NBA star Kawhi Leonard, Giants of Africa unveiled three new basketball courts at St. Ignatius School in Kigali under the “Built Within” initiative—a bold commitment to building 100 courts across Africa to grow grassroots basketball.

Giants of Africa Festival 2025: Key Stats

  • 2,000+ local youth participants
  • 320 campers from across Africa
  • 118 basketball games played
  • 104 coaches engaged
  • 126 accredited media personnel
  • 20 African nations represented
  • 12 official festival events
  • 8 action-packed days
  • 7 venue activations
  • 3 brand-new basketball courts opened