The third BAL Innovation Summit on Thursday, featured a series of discussions aimed at inspiring, empowering, and elevating Africa through basketball and sports innovation.
Key figures in the industry highlighted the transformative potential of technology and the need to view sports as a significant business opportunity.
Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, emphasized the role of technology as an enabler across various sectors, including sports.
“When I think about technology, and for us in Rwanda, technology is an enabler for almost every sector and aspect of society. Sports is one area that’s not left behind,” she stated. Ingabire discussed the importance of supporting young innovators in bringing their ideas to life, whether through providing capital or market access opportunities.
“It’s also crucial to create a market where an idea can be tested, tried, and scaled over time, so this is an exciting initiative,” she added.
The summit also highlighted the NBA Africa Triple Double Accelerator Program, which provides African startup companies in the sports and creative industries with funding and mentorship opportunities. NBA President for New Business Ventures, Amy Brooks, joined Ingabire in discussing how such initiatives can drive growth and innovation in the sports sector.
Masai Ujiri, President of the Toronto Raptors and co-founder of Giants of Africa, delivered a compelling message on the need to view sports beyond leisure and competition. “We think of sports as leisure and competition, but we need to start thinking of sports as a business,” Ujiri said.
He stressed the importance of developing infrastructure and creating a comprehensive ecosystem around sports, including merchandising, naming rights, and food and beverage services.
“We have to think big in Africa because we belong in this world. We need infrastructure, arenas, and the ecosystem around it all over the continent. We have to inspire ourselves and the youth,” Ujiri added.
The summit provided a platform for industry leaders to share insights and strategies for leveraging sports as a catalyst for economic development and innovation in Africa.
It underscored the critical role of technology and business acumen in transforming the sports landscape on the continent.
The event, held in conjunction with the Season 4 finals of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), highlighted the league’s commitment to fostering innovation and growth in African sports. By bringing together key stakeholders and thought leaders, the BAL Innovation Summit continues to drive forward the vision of a vibrant and sustainable sports industry in Africa.
