Giants of Africa festival returns to Kigali, celebrating youth, sport, and African culture

The Giants of Africa Festival is making a vibrant return to Kigali from July 26 to August 2, bringing together 320 young athletes from 20 African countries and drawing more than 20,000 spectators for a week that blends basketball, culture, education, entertainment, and community building.

Organized by Giants of Africa—a non-profit founded by Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri—the festival is rooted in a mission to spark potential, unite communities, and foster transformative change across the continent.

“I grew up on the continent just like these kids,” Ujiri shared. “We understand the challenges they face. They dream like we did—but now they have even more tools, more talent, more ways to communicate. This festival exists to show them that their dreams are possible. We want them to believe there is always a path forward.”

Star-studded opening ceremony

The 2025 edition of the festival kicks off with an electrifying opening ceremony. Athletes will march in a unifying parade, followed by live performances from South African DJ and global sensation Uncle Waffles, MTV Video Music Award-winning choreographer Sherrie Silver, and Rwanda’s own singer-songwriter Kevin Kade. 

Ujiri, alongside notable guests, will formally open the weeklong celebration—marking the start of what promises to be a life-shaping experience for Africa’s emerging leaders.

Events will be held across Kigali Sports City venues, including BK Arena, Amahoro National Stadium, Petit Stade, and the Paralympic Gymnasium. The festival not only celebrates basketball but also underscores the vast social and economic potential of Africa’s sports and entertainment industries.

Unveiling Zaria court

A highlight of this year’s festival will be the grand opening of Zaria Court—a new, visionary mixed-use district conceived by Ujiri. This dynamic space blends sport, hospitality, and culture, featuring an 80-room hotel, a sports bar, a basketball court, event facilities, retail shops, a gym, a five-a-side football pitch, and landscaped public areas.

A continental celebration of talent

Youth participants at the camp will represent a diverse range of countries, including Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Gabon, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, D.R. Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Morocco, Botswana, and South Africa.

Training sessions throughout the week will be led by Giants of Africa, alongside NBA and WNBA personnel, with support from local coaches. A round-robin tournament will culminate in a championship showdown and an all-star showcase.

More than basketball

Beyond the court, the festival celebrates Africa’s vibrant identity. The inaugural Threads of Africa Fashion Show will spotlight three innovative designers: Hortense Mbea (Afropian) from Cameroon, Alia Baré (Alia) from Niger, and Nyambo (Masa Mara) representing both Rwanda and South Africa. Each will unveil new collections and participate in a panel discussion about the power of fashion to tell African stories.

In celebration of International Youth Day, the festival will host a forum in partnership with the Imbuto Foundation, the Ministry of Youth and Arts, and ALX. The event will convene over 2,000 Rwandan youth and festival campers for insightful conversations with influential leaders.

Empowering women and communities

A continent-wide Women’s Community Outreach Program will run alongside the festival, with leadership and education sessions taking place not just in Rwanda, but in all 20 represented countries. These initiatives aim to empower women and girls by equipping them with tools, knowledge, and inspiration.

A grand finale

The festival will conclude with a spectacular closing concert, featuring headline performances from Nigerian Afrobeats star Kizz Daniel and award-winning singer-songwriter Timaya. Throughout the week, celebrity guests such as Chris Tucker, Candace Parker, Robin Roberts, Chiney Ogwumike, Didier Drogba, Michael Blackson, and Boris Kodjoe will be in attendance, with more names expected to be announced soon.

Since its inception in 2003, Giants of Africa has impacted youth through basketball by hosting camps and building courts in 20 countries. The initiative goes beyond sports, emphasizing mentorship and leadership, helping young people turn ambition into tangible opportunity.

The first-ever Giants of Africa Festival, held in Kigali in 2023 to mark the organization’s 20th anniversary, welcomed 250 youth from 16 nations, attracted over 14,000 spectators, and injected an estimated $1.5 million into the local economy. The 2025 edition promises to build on that legacy—bigger, bolder, and with deeper impact.

A story by Ballerzone