The Giants of Africa festival is underway in Kigali since Sunday, July 17, and will run until August 2. It is bringing to life a vibrant celebration of sports, creativity, culture, and youth empowerment. With over 20,000 spectators and 320 young athletes from 20 African nations, the week-long gathering is not just a showcase of basketball talent but a convergence of purpose-driven mentorship, education, and community engagement. ALSO READ: Giants of Africa festival grand opening in pictures Founded in 2003 by Nigerian-Kenyan born Masai Ujiri, the former president of NBA’s Toronto Raptors, Giants of Africa began with a singular mission which was to harness the power of basketball to uplift and empower African youth. What started with one camp in Nigeria has since grown into a continent-wide movement, reaching thousands of young people through transformative programming rooted in sports, leadership, and education. At the heart of Giants of Africa is the belief that sport can be a powerful vehicle for social change and self-belief. Guided by the motto ‘Dream Big,’ the initiative uses basketball as a platform to teach values like resilience, integrity, accountability, and leadership. ALSO READ: Kagame explains inspiration behind Kigali’s sports city Each camp, hosted across at least 18 African countries, is led by NBA personnel and local coaches who not only offer rigorous training but also equip participants with vital life skills that extend far beyond the court. The organisation’s reach is deeply anchored in the communities it serves. Where it built over 37 basketball courts under its Built Within initiative, with an ambitious goal of completing 100 courts across the continent. These spaces are not only sports facilities but hubs of activity, creativity, and belonging, places where young people gather, dream, and develop new possibilities for their futures. In 2023, to mark its 20th anniversary, Giants of Africa launched its inaugural festival in Kigali, Rwanda. The festival brought together hundreds of youth for basketball clinics, cultural showcases, mentoring sessions, and musical performances. This year’s edition continues that tradition, offering participants a rare opportunity to be coached and mentored by NBA and WNBA figures, including Candace Parker and Kawhi Leonard, while also featuring artists like Ayra Starr to celebrate African creativity. The organization is also highly committed to gender equality. Initially focused on boys-only camps, Giants of Africa has evolved into a fully inclusive program that gives equal court time and leadership training to girls. Ujiri has repeatedly emphasized the importance of empowering young women, noting that true progress cannot be achieved without respect and opportunity for all genders. Backed by notable partners including Nike, the 2K Foundation, and The Archewell Foundation, co-founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Giants of Africa continues to expand its influence.
