BAL and Afreximbank Empower African Athletes with “Next Play” Entrepreneurship Program

KHADAMATY-NEW «

The Basketball Africa League (BAL), in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has officially launched “BAL Advance: Next Play”, a groundbreaking entrepreneurship initiative designed to empower African athletes with the tools, mindset, and network to thrive beyond the game

The program represents a new milestone in BAL’s mission to foster leadership and innovation among players across the continent, strengthening Africa’s growing $5.4 billion sports economy

Within just one week of launch, over 150 current and former athletes, including participants from BAL Seasons 1–5 and leading African women players, applied for the program—underscoring the high demand for professional and entrepreneurial development in Africa’s sports ecosystem

Developed in partnership with Athletepreneur, the six-week curriculum brings together 26 selected participants (10 women and 16 men) from 13 countries including Nigeria, Egypt, Rwanda, Senegal, Kenya, and the United States. The training focuses on business design, financial literacy, innovation, storytelling, and sustainability, equipping athletes to build impactful ventures after their sports careers

Three standout participants — Joel Almeida (Cabo Verde, Kriol Stars owner and captain), Grace Wang’Ondu (Kenya, former national team player), and Omar Hussein (Egypt, Zamalek captain and engineer) — have been selected to attend an exclusive immersion at NBA Headquarters in New York (October 29–31), where they will gain hands-on exposure to global business operations, leadership strategies, and innovation practices

As Africa’s sports and creative sectors rapidly expand, BAL Advance: Next Play demonstrates BAL and Afreximbank’s shared vision of using sport as a driver for economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development across the continent