Basketball Experience is a multi-country initiative funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and implemented in partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA). The programme operates in Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya and South Africa, with activities located in major cities such as Casablanca, Zénata, Lagos, Dakar and Nairobi. Its objective is to use basketball as a tool for education, youth empowerment, citizenship, gender equality and awareness of sustainable development issues.

The programme aims to strengthen the role of sport within schools and communities by combining basketball practice with socio-educational content aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports teachers, coaches and community educators in transmitting life skills and civic values, while raising awareness on themes such as gender equality, environmental responsibility and waste management.

Through its holistic approach, Basketball Experience creates safe spaces for young people, encourages inclusive participation of girls and boys and builds stronger links between communities, institutions and local sports stakeholders.

FOUR COMPLEMENTARY PILLARS FOR SUSTAINABLE IMPACT 

• Infrastructure Development: the programme supports the construction and rehabilitation of basketball courts across the participating countries.
• Socio-Educational Programming: Basketball Experience integrates education sessions on SDGs directly into basketball activities, including citizenship, gender equality, environmental protection and wellbeing.
• Capacity Building for Local Coaches and Educators: the programme trains coaches, physical education teachers and youth educators through structured training cycles delivered with the support of the NBA.
• Local Partnerships and Community Engagement: Basketball Experience is implemented by Expertise France in collaboration with local NGOs, including SEED Project in Senegal, TLS Groupe in Morocco, and additional local partners in Nigeria and Kenya.

KEY DATES

 The programme was launched on June 1, 2019 and will run until December 2026.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME PARTNERS

French Development Agency (AFD)

AFD is the financial partner and supports education, gender equality, youth wellbeing and sustainable development through sport.

National Basketball Association (NBA)

The NBA contributes technical expertise in coach training, youth development and community outreach.

Expertise France

Expertise France implements the programme and coordinates activities across all countries.

Local NGO Partners

• SEED Project (Senegal)
• TLS Groupe (Morocco)
• Local NGOs in Nigeria and Kenya