The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has announced the inauguration of six newly renovated basketball courts in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Senegal. This initiative is part of NBA Africa’s commitment to build or renovate 1,000 courts across the continent over the next ten years. Once operational, these courts are expected to welcome several thousand young people and local community members every year.
The first two courts were inaugurated on September 30 in Saint-Louis, Senegal, in collaboration with the Société des Pétroles du Sénégal (PETROSEN), the national hydrocarbons company, and on October 3 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in collaboration with Wave Côte d’Ivoire. Further inaugurations are planned by December: in Dakar, Senegal, in collaboration with the City of Dakar; in Joal, Senegal, in collaboration with Woodside Energy; and in Guédiawaye, Senegal, and Owerri, Nigeria, in collaboration with Qatar Foundation. Each court now features a refurbished playing surface, spectator stands and new equipment, with some sites also benefiting from upgraded locker rooms, sanitary facilities and lighting.
Amadou Gallo Fall, BAL President, said: “These newly renovated courts reflect our commitment to investing in communities and making basketball more accessible to young people across Africa. With our partners, we are creating places where the next generation of African basketball players, fans and changemakers can grow, build connections and thrive.”
Overview of the renovated courts
Saint-Louis, Senegal (PETROSEN) – September 30: The indoor court in Saint-Louis, a UNESCO World Heritage city, was inaugurated at Gaston Berger University (UGB), one of Senegal’s leading universities. It will offer UGB students and the wider Saint-Louis population a modern space dedicated to basketball and community activities.
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Wave Côte d’Ivoire) – October 3: Located at the Groupe Scolaire Lac de Koumassi, the renovated court is expected to welcome nearly 3,000 players each week, including 2,500 students, and to host a basketball development program for 300 girls aged 18 and under from eight schools in the district. Every Saturday, the site will host the Ligue Jeune, a competition for players aged 18 and under. The work also included modernized lighting and new spectator benches made from recycled materials. It is the second court inaugurated in Abidjan under the collaboration between BAL and Wave Côte d’Ivoire, following a first court launched in November 2025.
Joal, Senegal (Woodside Energy) – October 7: The newly renovated court in Joal, a fishing town on Senegal’s Petite Côte, will serve as a central gathering place in a locality where access to organized sports facilities has long been limited. The renovated court will include secure fencing and rehabilitated sanitary facilities. The launch event will feature a basketball introductory clinic bringing together 100 boys and girls aged 16 and under.
Dakar, Senegal (City of Dakar) – October 9: Located along the Atlantic coastline, in the heart of one of Dakar’s liveliest leisure areas, this outdoor court will offer an exceptional setting and a year-round destination for players, families and visitors. A true community hub, it will bring together Dakar’s basketball enthusiasts, young people and visitors around an iconic seaside landmark. Improvements include a scoreboard, a new storage room and perimeter fencing, to enhance the experience of players and spectators while helping protect and preserve the court. The inauguration will be followed by the finals of the BAL City Run, a neighborhood tournament featuring 12 local teams.
Guédiawaye, Senegal (Qatar Foundation) – October 30: The first BAL4HER court ever built in Africa, this newly renovated facility is part of BAL’s program promoting women and girls through basketball and beyond. It will serve as a multisport hub hosting basketball, volleyball and handball, and will feature upgraded lighting, locker rooms, restrooms and meeting rooms. Designed to promote gender equality, the venue will also serve as a learning and personal development center, with rooms dedicated to leadership training workshops, life-skills workshops, educational sessions, and health and nutrition programs.
Owerri, Nigeria (Qatar Foundation) – December: The second BAL4HER court on the continent, its inauguration will be supported by Chiney Ogwumike, a two-time WNBA All-Star and BAL Ambassador, and her nonprofit organization, Queens of the Continent. The court currently hosts more than 300 participants in Imo State. The work, including renovated locker rooms and restrooms and improved lighting and drainage, will transform this gathering place into a space dedicated to organized sport, youth development and community life.
