Giants of Africa, the non-profit organization co-founded by Dallas Mavericks Team President Masai Ujiri, unveiled three new basketball courts in Rwanda this week, achieving a presence in all five provinces of the country. This development expands the organization’s Built Within programme to a total of 53 courts across 16 African nations, moving closer to its goal of establishing 100 courts on the continent.
The new courts opened on consecutive days in partnership with Rwanda’s Ministry of Sports. The first court was launched in Nyagatare, located in the Eastern Province, on Tuesday. The following day, a second court was inaugurated in Musanze, Northern Province, and on Thursday, a third court was opened in Nyanza, Southern Province. Collectively, these facilities are expected to serve over 9,500 young people, students, and community members.
The Nyagatare court, situated near the University of Rwanda’s Nyagatare campus, aims to accommodate more than 600 individuals, including university students and local youth. In Musanze, the court at GS Marie Reine Rwaza, a Catholic boarding school, will serve approximately 900 students. The largest potential user group will be at the Nyanza court located at Igihozo St Peter, which expects to welcome around 8,000 people from the school and nearby educational institutions. The school’s motto, “To Know, To Love, To Serve,” was noted as reflecting the spirit of the programme.
These new facilities join previously established Built Within courts in Rusizi, Western Province, and the City of Kigali. With the addition of the Nyanza court, Giants of Africa has now constructed a total of 14 courts in Rwanda. The organization acknowledged support from the Ministry of Sports and the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) but did not disclose construction costs or funding partners for the latest openings.
Rwanda has emerged as the organization’s most concentrated market, with 14 of the 53 courts now located in the country, which has a population of around 14 million. This high density underscores how Giants of Africa’s activities align with Kigali’s ongoing investment in basketball development. The capital city has hosted Basketball Africa League (BAL) games at BK Arena, and Giants of Africa has previously held its flagship festival there. The new courts in the provinces are part of an effort to distribute basketball infrastructure beyond Kigali, where it has mostly been concentrated historically.
Access to grassroots programs is seen as essential for the growth of basketball in the region. It creates a foundation for leagues and federations to attract sponsorship and broadcast opportunities, cultivating a culture of both play and viewership. In previous projects, Giants of Africa has partnered with notable figures, including NBA player Kawhi Leonard, who supported court construction in Kigali in 2025. The organization is now focused on building 47 additional courts to reach its target of 100 across the continent.
