NBA Africa and Safaricom (NSE: SCOM) have launched the M-PESA Jr. NBA program, a groundbreaking initiative set to provide basketball development and financial literacy programming to over 10,000 boys and girls across Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, and Kisumu.
This marks the most extensive youth development program in East Africa by the league to date.The inaugural year of the M-PESA Jr. NBA program commenced with a coaching clinic on Feb. 15 at SABIS International School in Nairobi, training more than 100 local coaches.
The program features four regional tournaments for youth aged 13-16, set to take place in Nairobi (Feb. 22-23), Mombasa (March 8-9), Eldoret (March 15-16), and Kisumu (March 22-23). Each city will host 20 boys’ and 20 girls’ teams, engaging them in skills development sessions and competitive matches.
Following the regional tournaments, the top 80 players will form four boys’ and four girls’ teams, competing in a round-robin format.
The most promising 16 boys and 16 girls from each city will advance to an elite top 100 camp at Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa this April.
Beyond basketball, the program integrates financial literacy workshops powered by M-PESA, Safaricom’s innovative mobile payment platform, aimed at fostering responsible financial habits among young athletes.
“Tipping off our multiyear collaboration with Safaricom is an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to make basketball more accessible to Kenyan boys and girls,” said NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi.
“We look forward to positively impacting youth and coaches across the country through basketball development and life-skills programming.”Safaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa emphasized the broader vision of the initiative:
“Our collaboration with NBA Africa could not have come at a more opportune moment, as Safaricom’s M-PESA will celebrate its 18th anniversary this March, marking a significant milestone in our journey.”
“Through M-PESA Go, this partnership transcends beyond basketball. It is driven by a shared vision to create a lasting impact, not only in sports but also in the broader context of youth empowerment.”Dr. Ndegwa added, “We are committed to nurturing potential, building character, and equipping the next generation with the tools necessary for success.”
We believe that the collaboration between M-PESA Go and the Jr. NBA program can pave the way for growth and financial health, enabling young athletes to develop their skills and seize opportunities at the next level.
As the M-PESA Jr. NBA program kicks off, the initiative is poised to leave a lasting mark on East Africa’s basketball scene while shaping the future of thousands of young athletes through sport and financial education.
