Africell and NBA Africa have announced the expansion of their successful collaboration beyond Angola to include the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), The Gambia and Sierra Leone. The initiative, which promotes youth development through basketball, aims to inspire and empower young people across Africell’s four operating markets through sport, education, and community engagement.
Launched in 2022, the partnership between Africell and NBA Africa has already transformed the basketball landscape in Angola, a country of over 30 million people with a deep passion for the sport. Thousands of young Angolans have participated in Jr. NBA tournaments, clinics, and court refurbishments, gaining valuable skills both on and off the court. Encouraged by this success, Africell and NBA Africa will extend the program to the DRC, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone—countries where basketball’s popularity continues to grow and where young people are eager for access to structured sports initiatives. The expanded collaboration will introduce a new Jr. NBA league in Angola, set to tip off next month, followed by a series of clinics and 3-on-3 tournaments across all four markets in 2026.
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The partnership aligns with the Africell Impact Foundation’s commitment to driving positive social change through sports and healthcare. By promoting access to organized sports, the initiative fosters teamwork, discipline, and personal growth—values central to Africell’s vision of community empowerment.
Ziad Dalloul, CEO, President and Founder of Africell Group, said: “It is difficult to overstate the magnetic pull that the NBA brand enjoys in Africa. Not only does the NBA name symbolize legendary teams and world-class athletes, but it also stands for aspiration, hard work, and excellence. Africell is thrilled to be expanding its collaboration with NBA Africa to the DRC, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone for the first time, and we look forward to sharing that inspiration with our many young customers.”
Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, added: “Our collaboration with Africell in Angola has shown us firsthand how basketball can inspire, empower, and transform the lives of youth. Building on that success, we are excited to expand into the DRC, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone—countries where Africell is already deeply rooted, where there is a strong affinity for basketball, and where together we can make a meaningful and lasting social impact.” This expansion marks a significant step forward for Africell, Africa’s only U.S.-owned mobile network operator, and reinforces its mission to combine commercial growth with community development. Together, Africell and NBA Africa are using sport as a force for unity, opportunity, and hope across the continent.