A basketball programme supported by NBA Africa and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has reached 103,340 children in 128 schools across four counties in Kenya.
The Basketball Experience (BE) programme uses sport to teach children aged 8 to 18 essential life skills, including teamwork, discipline, resilience and leadership.
The programme marked another milestone during its third Basketball Experience Finals, held at the Kenya Academy Sports Court in Kasarani, Nairobi, bringing together young players, educators, development partners and community stakeholders.
The initiative has reached children in Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu and Kajiado counties since its launch.
Funded by AFD, the programme is run in collaboration with NBA Africa and implemented by Expertise France, working locally with the Kenya Red Cross.
It uses the Jr. NBA curriculum to train coaches in basketball techniques for children, alongside locally developed inclusive manuals designed to help young people develop life skills through sport.
How the NBA Africa Programme Supports Children With Disabilities
One key component of the programme focuses on including children with hearing, visual, and physical impairments in organised basketball and life skills activities.
Through adapted coaching methods and accessible activities, the initiative gives children with disabilities opportunities to participate alongside their peers.
The approach aims to make sporting activities accessible to children of different abilities while helping them build confidence, teamwork, and other skills they can apply beyond the court.
The programme also provides a shared environment where children can learn and play together, regardless of their physical abilities.
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Basketball Finals Celebrate Children’s Achievements
The 2026 Basketball Experience Finals followed a series of mini-tournaments held in July, bringing the participating children together to showcase their basketball skills.
The finals also highlighted the programme’s wider role in using sport to promote inclusion, strengthen life skills and create opportunities for young people.
Beyond competition, the initiative combines basketball training with lessons intended to help children work with others, remain disciplined and build resilience.
The programme reaches more than 103,000 children across 128 schools, reflecting its scale since its introduction in Kenya.
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The event was attended by French Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Wadid Benaabou, AFD Director for Kenya Anne-Gaël Chapuis and NBA Africa Chief Executive Officer Claire Akamanzi.
Other guests included Joe Mbalu, Deputy Secretary General; Christine Kirui, president of the Kenya Deaf Basketball Association; Jane Gichure, County Director for Gender and Inclusivity; and Martin Cheruyiot, County Director of Education in Kajiado County.
Their participation brought together representatives from development organisations, sports leadership and education institutions to celebrate the children’s achievements and the programme’s work.
The Basketball Experience programme continues to combine sport and life skills training, focusing on giving children opportunities to participate, learn, and develop in an inclusive environment.
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