NBA Africa and Safaricom, the region’s leading technology company, officially launched the M-PESA Jr. NBA program, marking a significant milestone in the development of youth basketball across East Africa. This program, aimed at providing both basketball development and financial literacy programming, will reach over 10,000 boys and girls in four major Kenyan cities: Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu.

The launch event, held on February 16, 2025, at Sabis International School in Runda, Nairobi, set the stage for an exciting new chapter in the region’s sports landscape. As part of the first year of the M-PESA Jr. NBA program, regional tournaments for youth ages 13-16 will take place throughout February and March with a focus on skills development and competitive games. The program’s grand objective is not only to develop basketball talent but also to equip youth with critical financial skills for their future success.

Michael Finley, NBA Kenya’s Senior Director and Operations Lead, expressed his excitement during the event, pointing out the importance of the collaboration. “It’s an honor and great opportunity for us to be tipping off the M-PESA Jr. NBA program and Jr. NBA coaches clinic,” he said. “This is a monumental day to start such a unique program that will be run in junior schools and is part of a larger basketball calendar that we’ve organized for this year.”

Finley also extended gratitude to Safaricom, talking about the long journey it’s taken to reach this point. “They believed in the vision from the beginning and it’s great to finally take off and see the foundation of what is going to take Kenyan basketball to new heights,” he remarked.

The event included two key sessions for local coaches: one focused on basketball training and the other on financial literacy. “We have the commitment to growing the game and engaging with young Kenyans both on and off the basketball court as we move forward with this program,” Finley added.

Safaricom’s Director of Brand and Marketing, Zizwe Awuor Vundla, also spoke about the partnership’s significance, noting that the collaboration of two iconic brands ‘NBA Africa and Safaricom’ would lead to “iconic things” that benefit talented basketball players. “One thing I love about this partnership is how we will use it to elevate goals via basketball,” She said. “When we talk about basketball, it was once all about the male players, but here we are giving opportunities to both genders.”

Safaricom’s M-PESA, the region’s leading mobile payment platform, will play a central role in the program by hosting financial literacy workshops for participating youth, empowering them to develop healthy financial habits. Zizwe emphasized that this program is not just about basketball; it’s about nurturing future leaders who can use the power of sports to create lasting change in their communities.

The M-PESA Jr. NBA program will host four regional tournaments, where 20 boys’ and 20 girls’ teams will participate in skills development and competitive play. The top 80 players will be selected for an elite camp at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa in April. This is a remarkable opportunity for young athletes to showcase their talents and receive advanced training that will take them to the next level.

In addition to the basketball development programming, Safaricom and NBA Africa are working together to empower youth through financial literacy, ensuring that the participants leave the program with not only athletic skills but also the tools necessary to navigate the financial challenges of their future careers.

Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, shared her excitement about the collaboration, highlighting its significance in the ongoing effort to make basketball more accessible in Kenya. “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,” she said. “We look forward to positively impacting youth and coaches across the country through basketball development and life-skills programming.”

Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, also spoke passionately about the partnership. “Through M-PESA Go, this partnership transcends basketball,” he said. “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.”