Safaricom, through its M-PESA service, has partnered with NBA Africa to launch a youth basketball development program aimed at empowering young people by providing opportunities through sports.
The program is designed for youth aged 16 and below and will feature regional and national Jr. NBA tournaments, NBA Fit & coaching clinics, and an elite camp for top Kenyan prospects.
NBA Africa and M-PESA will organize four regional Jr. NBA tournaments across Kenya, culminating in an 8-team National Championship. The Jr. NBA Fit clinics will include life-skills seminars and financial literacy training, courtesy of M-PESA Go—a product focused on driving financial inclusion and literacy among juniors aged 10-17. NBA Africa accredited scouts and coaches will also provide coaching and capacity-building support through training and mentorship programs.
The top 100 talents, both boys and girls, will be scouted from the regional tournaments and invited to the NBA elite basketball camp. They will also have the chance to participate in NBA Africa’s other elite development initiatives across the continent.
Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom PLC, said, “Our partnership with NBA Africa for the Jr. Basketball Program 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.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver added, “Our collaboration with Safaricom builds on the NBA’s ongoing efforts to grow basketball in Kenya and across the continent of Africa. We look forward to creating more opportunities for young people to engage in physical activity and learn the values inherent in sport.”
For basketball enthusiasts, Safaricom is also offering a bundled product that gives customers access to data packages for NBA content. This includes daily, weekly, and monthly offers that provide access to all premium NBA live games, with options to watch condensed games, customizable broadcasts, game angles, and statistics.
“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,” said Ndegwa.
“We do this because we are Kenya’s biggest supporter and are led by our purpose of transforming lives. 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.
