- NBA Africa launched Basketball Experience, a programme targeting children aged 8 to 18 across Kenyan schools
- The initiative has reached over 100,000 children across 128 schools in Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu and Kajiado counties since its launch
- The programme includes children with hearing, visual and physical impairments through adapted coaching methods and inclusive activities
More than 100,000 young Kenyans have had a shot at the basketball court through a joint initiative backed by NBA Africa and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), with organisers eyeing an even wider reach across the country.
Source: UGC
The programme, called Basketball Experience (BE), held its third finals at the Kenya Academy Sports Court in Kasarani, Nairobi, gathering players, coaches and development partners to mark the milestone.
How is NBA Africa developing basketball in Kenya?
Since launching, BE has reached 100,340 children between the ages of eight and 18, spread across 128 schools in Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu and Kajiado counties.
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What sets the programme apart is its ambition beyond the sport itself.
Alongside teaching the basics of the game, coaches trained through the Jr. NBA curriculum weave life skills into every session, covering teamwork, discipline, resilience and leadership. Locally developed materials help coaches integrate these lessons naturally into practice time.
The initiative is funded by AFD, delivered in collaboration with NBA Africa and implemented by Expertise France, working on the ground with the Kenya Red Cross.
"Basketball is more than a game; it is a platform for teaching children teamwork, discipline and resilience while creating opportunities for every child to participate," an organiser told TUKO.co.ke.
A key pillar of BE is its commitment to inclusion.
Through adapted coaching methods and inclusive drills, children with hearing, visual and physical impairments participate alongside their peers, making the court a genuinely welcoming space for players of all abilities.
The 2026 finals were preceded by a series of mini-tournaments held in July, giving participants a chance to show off the skills they had built over the course of the programme.
The event drew senior figures including French Ambassador to Kenya Wadid Benaabou, AFD Kenya Director Anne-Gaël Chapuis and NBA Africa CEO Claire Akamanzi.
With more than 100,000 children already reached, Basketball Experience is making a clear case for how sport can serve as a vehicle for personal development and social inclusion in Kenyan schools.
Lupita Nyong'o invests in Nairobi City Thunder
In other news, Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o announced her investment in Nairobi City Thunder, backing the Kenyan basketball club following its historic qualification for the Basketball Africa League.
She shared the news on Instagram, expressing excitement and pride in supporting the team’s growth.
The move strengthens her connection to Kenyan sports while drawing attention to basketball’s rising profile locally.
Source: TUKO.co.ke