On Tuesday evening, President Paul Kagame hosted a high-level meeting at Urugwiro Village with key figures from the basketball world, including Anibal Manave, President of FIBA Africa, Alphonse Bilé, FIBA Africa Secretary-General, Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, and Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
The meeting followed the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pre-qualifiers and centered on advancing the development of women’s basketball on the African continent.
The discussions highlighted the importance of empowering women in sports and explored opportunities to elevate women’s basketball in Africa. As the sport continues to grow across the continent, there is a renewed focus on ensuring that women have the same opportunities to excel, both on and off the court.
Rwanda has been at the forefront of promoting basketball in Africa, particularly through its partnership with the Basketball Africa League. The country has invested heavily in sports infrastructure, including the state-of-the-art Kigali Arena, which has hosted numerous international basketball events.
Rwanda’s commitment to basketball is part of a broader strategy to position itself as a hub for sports in Africa, attracting talent and fostering a culture of excellence.
Basketball’s influence in Africa has been steadily increasing, with more young athletes aspiring to reach the heights of international stars like Serge Ibaka, Joel Embiid, and Pascal Siakam, all of whom have roots on the continent.
The BAL, in particular, has provided a platform for African players to showcase their talents and has brought renewed energy to the sport across the region.
