Slam dunk: Safaricom and NBA Africa’s youth basketball revolution
Safaricom’s groundbreaking partnership with NBA Africa, through M-PESA and M-PESA Go, is a game-changer for Kenyan youth, opening doors to exciting opportunities including basketball tournaments, coaching clinics and skills development programmes.
Safaricom is excited to partner with NBA Africa to uplift young basketball talent from grassroots to elite level. From Mombasa to Nairobi, Eldoret and Kisumu, this initiative gives every child a chance to participate.
Together, we’re creating a pathway for young talent to chase their dreams on the basketball court and beyond. It’s time to level up!
The programme will empower youth aged 16 years and below through regional and national Jr. NBA tournaments, NBA Fit and coaching clinics, and an elite camp for top Kenyan prospects.
Sport for life
Through the collaboration, NBA Africa and M-PESA will host four regional Jr. NBA tournaments across Kenya, culminating in an eight-team National Championship. The Jr. NBA Fit clinics will involve life skills seminars and financial literacy training courtesy of M-PESA Go – a product that aims to drive financial inclusion and financial literacy among juniors aged 10 to 17 years.
NBA Africa-accredited scouts and coaches will also support coaching and capacity building for junior players through training and mentorship programmes. The top 100 talents (boys and girls) will be scouted from the regional tournaments and enrolled into the NBA elite basketball camp. They will then have an opportunity to participate in NBA Africa’s other elite development initiatives in the continent.
“Our partnership with NBA Africa for the junior basketball programme underscores our commitment to opening meaningful opportunities for young Kenyans through sport and financial empowerment.
“This collaboration will not only help develop local basketball talent but also, through M-PESA Go, equip young people with essential financial skills to support their personal growth.
“Together with NBA Africa, we’re empowering the next generation to build their futures on and off the court, creating a lasting impact on youth and communities across Kenya.”
Customer access to NBA content
For basketball enthusiasts, Safaricom is also offering a bundled product giving customers mobile data bundles and NBA content. Customers will have access to daily, weekly and monthly offers giving access to all premium NBA live games, allowing them to watch condensed games, and have customisable NBA broadcasts, game angles and statistics.
The collaboration with Safaricom builds on the NBA’s ongoing efforts to grow basketball in Kenya and across the continent of Africa, says NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “We look forward to creating more opportunities for young people to engage in physical activity and learn the values inherent in sport.”
“We continue to create opportunities for our youth, whether through connectivity or by providing them with a platform through which they can launch their sports careers,” Silver adds.
“We do this because we are Kenya’s biggest supporter and are led by our purpose of transforming lives,” he says. “We look forward to engaging with NBA Africa as we explore how to transform the lives of our basketball-loving youth across the country.”
The collaboration marks the league’s most expansive youth development programming in East Africa to date and makes Safaricom an Official Partner of the Jr. NBA in Kenya.
A brief history of basketball in Kenya
The sport was introduced in Kenya in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Initially played in mission schools and YMCA centres, it quickly spread to urban centres, particularly Nairobi. Schools became key in developing basketball talent as the sport grew across the country.
The Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF), established in 1966, became the governing body. The 1970s and 1980s marked a significant period of growth for basketball, with universities and schools driving talent development. In the 1990s, Kenya made its mark in international basketball, particularly through its women’s national team, the Lionesses.
The men’s national team also participated in continental tournaments. However, the team faced significant challenges in qualifying for major competitions, largely due to inadequate infrastructure and inconsistent management.
A new beginning
In 2009, the Sprite Slam Africa tournament rekindled the fire for the sport among the youth.
In recent years, there has been renewed hope in the sport. The growth of international basketball platforms and the rise of Kenyan players competing abroad have shown that the sport is here to stay. For instance, American-born Kenyan basketball sensation Iffi Kazmi has big plans for the Morans, Kenya’s men’s national basketball team, as he works towards making history by playing in the NBA.
The commitment from the NBA to support basketball’s development in Kenya, along with Safaricom’s game-changing new partnership, promises a thriving future for the sport.
