Visit Rwanda, the flagship tourism initiative of Rwanda, hosted a business cocktail on Tuesday, January 21, in Paris, France, in partnership with the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The event aimed to position Rwanda as a premier destination for tourism and investment.
As the major sponsor of the BAL, Visit Rwanda brought together prominent figures, including NBA star Pascal Siakam, BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi, and Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of the Francophonie.
“Rwanda has invested in positioning the country as a leader in innovation and a prime destination for business, both for Rwanda and Africa as a whole. The BAL perfectly aligns with this vision,” said Michelle Umurungi, Chief Investment Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
In his remarks, BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall highlighted the league’s role in fostering opportunities for young basketball players across Africa. “Beyond sports, the BAL creates partnerships that support economic development,” he said.
The fifth season of the BAL is set to tip off on April 5 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco. It will conclude with the finals on June 14 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa.
The season will feature 12 African clubs competing in 48 conference games across four cities: Rabat (Sahara Conference), Dakar, Senegal (Sahara Conference), Kigali, Rwanda (Nile Conference), and Pretoria (playoffs and finals).
This partnership underscores Rwanda’s commitment to leveraging sports as a vehicle for economic growth and global recognition.