Construction of the Zaria Court is set to commence following the groundbreaking of the project by President Paul Kagame together with Masai Ujiri co-founder of Giants of Africa on Monday August 14, 2023 at Remera in Gasabo district.
The Zaria Court project, is an urban development project with a focus on community, hospitality, sports, and culture is being developed as part of Kigali Sports City and it is expected to create over 500 jobs in hospitality and tourism.
The project which occupies the former RBC headquarters building in Remera, Gasabo district is the first of its kind in Africa as an urban hospitality hub.
It will feature an 80-room boutique hotel, restaurants, a rooftop lounge, a gym, wellness spaces, co-working spaces and a podcast studio.
In addition, the site will serve as a space for sporting events, festivals, performances, markets and other events. Zaria Court Kigali includes a vibrant retail area which will adapt to the needs of the neighbourhood and visitors.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, President Kagame recounted the conversation he heard with Ujiri when they meant in Toronto at the 2016 all-star game, stating that it was from that interaction that the construction of BK Arena resulted.
President Kagame said that since meeting Ujiri they have been able to work together and many things have happened since then, stressing some of the achievements in building the whole sports ecosystem, including several of the basketball courts which have been set up in partnership with Giants of Africa.
“The potential is enormous. It is actually limitless. There is a lot that can be nurtured and grown here on our continent and that connects with many other things, other sectors. In Africa sports is a big thing. The poor and the rich, everyone is just connected to that every day, every moment.”
President Kagame further emphasized, “Sports connect people from all walks of life, and connecting with them every day helps the spirit to grow. Even in other areas of development, sports will grow the infrastructure and economies, and contribute to tourism. There is definitely something much bigger than we can see with our eyes.”
