Safaricom, through its M-PESA platform, has teamed up with NBA Africa to launch an ambitious youth basketball development program aimed at empowering Kenyan youth through sports and financial education. The program, designed for participants aged 16 and below, seeks to nurture young basketball talent while providing them with life skills that will contribute to their personal and professional growth.
The collaboration between NBA Africa and M-PESA will feature a series of regional and national Jr. NBA tournaments, NBA Fit clinics, coaching clinics, and an elite basketball camp for top Kenyan prospects. This partnership marks the NBA’s most extensive youth development initiative in East Africa, underscoring Safaricom’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people in Kenya.
Jr. NBA Tournaments and Clinics
The youth development program will kick off with four regional Jr. NBA tournaments across Kenya, culminating in an 8-team national championship. Alongside the tournaments, NBA Fit clinics will offer training sessions designed to improve the participants’ physical fitness and overall well-being. However, the program goes beyond basketball skills—through M-PESA Go, participants will also benefit from financial literacy training to equip them with essential money management skills. M-PESA Go, designed for juniors aged 10-17, aims to drive financial inclusion and literacy among Kenya’s youth.
NBA Africa will also send accredited scouts and coaches to provide mentorship and training for young players, helping them refine their skills both on and off the court. The top 100 boys and girls scouted from the regional tournaments will be enrolled in an NBA elite camp, offering them a chance to be part of NBA Africa’s elite development initiatives on the continent.
Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom PLC, emphasized the broader impact of the program:
“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.”
A Platform for Youth Empowerment and Development
For Safaricom, this collaboration is about more than just sports—it is about creating a holistic platform for youth empowerment. The Jr. NBA Fit clinics will include life-skills seminars, encouraging young athletes to adopt values like discipline, teamwork, and leadership, which are crucial for both personal and career development. Through this initiative, Safaricom aims to transform lives not only by nurturing basketball talent but also by equipping Kenya’s youth with the skills necessary to succeed in all aspects of life.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating:
“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.”
Exclusive NBA Content for Safaricom Customers
In addition to the youth development initiatives, Safaricom is enhancing the experience for basketball fans in Kenya by offering exclusive NBA content through specially bundled data packages. These packages will allow customers to stream NBA live games, watch condensed matches, access customizable NBA broadcasts, and view game angles and statistics. Customers can choose from daily, weekly, or monthly offers to stay connected with their favorite teams and players.
This marks a unique opportunity for basketball enthusiasts in Kenya to enjoy premium content while staying engaged with the global basketball community. Safaricom’s focus on providing connectivity and entertainment options reflects its role as Kenya’s biggest supporter of youth initiatives, with the goal of transforming lives through technology and sports.
Peter Ndegwa reinforced this vision, stating:
“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. 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 Safaricom-NBA Africa partnership represents a powerful step forward in youth development in Kenya. By combining the reach of Safaricom’s M-PESA platform with NBA Africa’s expertise in basketball development, the program is set to provide young Kenyans with unparalleled opportunities to excel in sports, education, and financial management.
This initiative aims to not only foster a new generation of basketball talent but also instill life-changing skills and values that will help participants succeed both on and off the court. Safaricom’s continued focus on youth empowerment, alongside NBA Africa’s commitment to growing basketball on the continent, promises to create a lasting impact on Kenya’s communities.
As the partnership unfolds, it is clear that Safaricom and NBA Africa are united in their mission to build a better future for Kenya’s youth, using sports as a vehicle for broader social change. The Jr. NBA program, with its unique combination of basketball development and financial education, is set to leave an indelible mark on the lives of countless young people across the country.
