NBA Africa and Safaricom have announced the launch of the M-PESA Jr. NBA program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting basketball development and financial literacy among more than 10,000 boys and girls in Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, and Kisumu. This initiative marks the league’s most extensive youth development program in East Africa to date.
The inaugural year of the M-PESA Jr. NBA program began with a coaching clinic for over 100 local coaches at SABIS International School in Nairobi on February 15. The program will feature four regional tournaments for youth aged 13-16, with events scheduled in Nairobi (February 22-23), Mombasa (March 8-9), Eldoret (March 15-16), and Kisumu (March 22-23).
Each city will host 20 boys’ teams and 20 girls’ teams participating in skills development sessions and competitive games. The top 80 players will then be grouped into four boys’ teams and four girls’ teams, competing in a round-robin format. From these competitions, the top 16 boys and 16 girls from each city will be selected to attend an elite top 100 camp at Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa in April.
Beyond basketball training, Safaricom’s mobile payment platform M-PESA will provide financial literacy workshops to participating youth, equipping them with essential financial management skills.
“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 highlighted the broader impact 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. We are committed to nurturing potential, building character, and equipping the next generation with the tools necessary for success. We firmly 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.”
The M-PESA Jr. NBA program is set to become a key platform for young athletes in Kenya, providing them with both athletic and financial skills to shape a brighter future.
