• The Basketball Africa League (BAL) and Afreximbank expanded their multi-year partnership to enhance financial literacy and support young African basketball professionals.

• Afreximbank will introduce "BAL Advance: Next Play," offering workshops and networking for players and coaches to develop entrepreneurial skills.

• The partnership also includes support for "BAL Future Pros," a program providing young Africans with skills for success in the sports industry.

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) expanded their multi-year partnership on September 6 to strengthen financial skills and support young basketball professionals in Africa. The agreement was formalized during the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) held in Algiers from September 4 to 10.

Afreximbank stated in a September 10 release that the initiative aims to position sport as a driver of economic development across the continent.

“Our long-standing collaboration with Afreximbank reflects our commitment to use basketball as an engine of economic growth and the BAL as a platform to develop and showcase African excellence,” said Amadou Gallo Fall, BAL president.

"BAL Advance: Next Play" and "BAL Future Pros"

Under the new partnership, Afreximbank will introduce “BAL Advance: Next Play,” a program offering targeted workshops and networking sessions for players and coaches to enhance their entrepreneurial skills.

The agreement also covers the launch of “BAL Future Pros,” which will provide young Africans with opportunities to acquire skills necessary to succeed in the sports industry. Applications will soon open, and selected participants will join different BAL departments.

Kanayo Awani, executive vice president of Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to invest in human capital and creativity. She announced that Afreximbank will also support the upcoming launch of a new content series showcasing African fashion designers in sport.

The partnership consolidates the shared vision of BAL and Afreximbank to position Africa as a global leader in sport and creative industries.

The Basketball Africa League was created by FIBA and NBA Africa. The Dakar-based league features 12 African clubs and represents the NBA’s first venture in managing a league outside North America.

This article was initially published in French by Servan Ahougnon
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum