The Basketball Africa League (BAL) and the African
Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have unveiled BAL Advance: Next Play, a new
entrepreneurship initiative designed to help African athletes transition from
professional sports into business and leadership roles.
The six-week program, developed in partnership with Athletepreneur, brings together 26 athletes from 13 countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Senegal, Rwanda, and Cabo Verde.
It aims to equip
participants with practical skills in business design, innovation, financial
literacy, and sustainable entrepreneurship, giving them the tools to build
lasting impact beyond the basketball court.
Since its launch on September 26, the program has drawn
remarkable interest across the continent — with over 150 athletes applying
within the first week, a reflection of Africa’s growing appetite for
professional development within its Sh810 billion ($5.4 billion) sports economy.
BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall said the program represents a turning point in how African athletes view life after sports.
“Our mission
goes beyond the game. We’re investing in players’ futures — helping them become
business leaders, investors, and innovators who will drive Africa’s growth
story,” he said.
Among the 26 participants, three standout athletes have been
selected for an exclusive business immersion experience at NBA Headquarters in
New York from October 29 to 31.
They are Joel Almeida
from Cabo Verde (captain and owner of Kriol Stars), Grace Wang’Ondu from Kenya
(a former national basketball player), and Omar Hussein from Egypt (Zamalek
captain and engineer).
The trio will spend three days engaging with global sports
executives, entrepreneurs, and leadership mentors — gaining hands-on exposure
to business operations and innovation strategies in the world’s most
competitive sports market.
For Kenya’s Grace Wang’Ondu, the selection marks a milestone
for African women athletes breaking into entrepreneurship.
“This is about redefining what it means to be an athlete.
It’s no longer just about performance, but also purpose — building something
that outlasts your playing career,” she said.
Afreximbank, BAL’s founding partner, noted that the
collaboration is part of a wider agenda to promote the creative and sports
industries as engines of economic growth.
“Athletes are natural
leaders and brand builders,” an Afreximbank representative said.
“Through programs like this, we’re empowering them to
channel that energy into ventures that create jobs and transform communities.”
The BAL Advance: Next Play initiative forms part of BAL’s
broader vision to develop Africa’s sports ecosystem by merging athletic talent
with business innovation.
As the continent’s sports economy continues to expand, the
program signals a new era where African athletes can thrive both on the court
and in boardrooms.
