"Kagame Inspires Africa’s Youth at Giants of Africa Festival 2025!"
🏀 A CALL TO ACTION! 🏀
In a powerful address that resonated with over 300 young athletes from 20 African countries, President Paul Kagame urged Africa’s youth to tap into their inner strength and rise to the challenges facing the continent. His stirring appeal came during the opening ceremony of the Giants of Africa Festival 2025, a vibrant week-long celebration of basketball, education, and culture in the heart of Kigali.
🌟 BELIEVE IN YOUR GIANTS:
Kagame praised Giants of Africa founder Masai Ujiri for his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, stating, “Masai has invested his passion, his time, his own money and mobilised even more resources to put this festival together.” He emphasized the deeper purpose behind the festival, encouraging the youth to believe in the giants within themselves. “Put in time on and off the court. That will bring out the giant in you—and that’s what Africa needs to do,” he declared.
🌍 A VISION FOR AFRICA:
The President expressed his pride in hosting the festival for the second time, highlighting Rwanda’s commitment to creating spaces that inspire and uplift Africa’s youth. “Africa should not remain lagging behind the rest of the world,” he asserted, reminding attendees that they have the potential to make Africa proud.
🎉 A FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE:
Running from July 26 to August 2, the 2025 Giants of Africa Festival is themed “A Borderless Africa” and features basketball camps led by NBA and WNBA coaches, leadership forums, cultural showcases, and concerts with international and African artists. The energy at the BK Arena was electric, with South African DJ Uncle Waffles igniting the crowd with her Amapiano hits, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
💃 A SHOWCASE OF TALENT:
The festival also featured the Sherrie Silver Foundation, where young performers dazzled the audience with a fusion of dance and basketball choreography. Sherrie Silver, the renowned choreographer, expressed gratitude to Kagame and Ujiri for empowering African youth through such platforms.
🎤 UJIRI'S EMOTIONAL MESSAGE:
In an emotional speech, Masai Ujiri declared, “You are the future of Africa. Take it. Take it and run. Believe. Grow. Be better.” He reminded the youth of their humble beginnings, encouraging them to strive for greatness. “If we can do it, you can do it even bigger and better,” he said, inspiring hope and ambition among the young athletes.
🏆 A MOVEMENT OF EMPOWERMENT:
Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, hailed the festival as a dynamic movement of empowerment, stating, “Giants of Africa is more than basketball; it’s a celebration of African excellence.” She urged the youth to remain proud of their roots and to believe in their potential.
🌱 BEYOND BASKETBALL:
The festival goes beyond the courts, integrating community service, leadership workshops, and cultural immersion. Highlights include the unveiling of new basketball courts through the Built Within initiative and a showcase of African fashion at the Threads of Africa event.
🏅 A LEGACY OF CHANGE:
Since its inception over two decades ago, Giants of Africa has built basketball courts and launched outreach programs across numerous African countries, fostering a legacy of empowerment and excellence. As the festival unfolds, the message is clear: Africa’s youth are the giants of tomorrow, ready to rise and lead the continent into a brighter future!