Giants of Africa, the non-profit organization founded by Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, has announced the latest additions to the star-studded lineup for the upcoming Giants of Africa Festival 2025, set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda from July 26 to August 2.
Nigerian Afropop star Ayra Starr will headline the festival’s Closing Concert on August 2, joining fellow Afrobeats sensations Kizz Daniel and Timaya for what promises to be a high-energy musical finale.
Also announced is Rwandan songstress Alyn Sano, who will perform during the Threads of Africa Fashion Show on July 31, a new addition to the festival spotlighting African fashion and design.
The week-long festival will kick off with an Opening Show on July 27, featuring South African DJ phenomenon Uncle Waffles and MTV VMA-winning choreographer Sherrie Silver, alongside Rwandan talents Kevin Kade, Ruti Joël, Boukuru, and Chriss Easy.
In a major sports announcement, NBA champion Kawhi Leonard will attend the festival, joining Masai Ujiri to mentor youth campers and participate in key community events. The L.A. Clippers forward is scheduled to open a newly built basketball court at St. Ignatius School and lead a youth clinic at Club Rafiki, located in one of Kigali’s most underserved communities.
Other international figures set to appear during the week include media personality Robin Roberts, ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike, Ivorian football legend Didier Drogba, comedian Michael Blackson, and actor Boris Kodjoe.
This year’s festival will bring together 320 young athletes from 20 African countries, uniting over 20,000 spectators for a celebration of basketball, education, entertainment, and culture. The event continues Giants of Africa’s mission to use sport as a vehicle for youth empowerment and community transformation.
“This festival is about more than basketball — it’s about uniting Africa’s youth and building a future of hope and opportunity,” said Ujiri, who recently promoted the event on The Kelly Clarkson Show and Good Morning America.
Founded in 2003, Giants of Africa has built over 30 basketball courts across Africa and organized leadership camps that combine athletic training with life skills and mentorship. The initiative has reached youth in countries including Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana, D.R. Congo, and South Sudan, among others.
The 2025 festival builds on the momentum of the inaugural Giants of Africa Festival held in Kigali in 2023, which attracted 14,000 spectators, brought together 250 youth athletes, and generated an estimated $1.5 million for the local economy. That event featured headline performances from Davido, Tiwa Savage, Bruce Melodie, and Tyla.
