Kenya will soon unveil a multipurpose basketball arena capable of hosting major international competitions, the government has announced.
The arena under discussion will be dedicated solely to basketball, with the capacity to host fixtures from the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
While it is unclear when construction will begin, the government and the National Basketball Association (NBA) have agreed to fast-track the development.
The agreement follows a meeting between the two parties on Wednesday that resolved that Kenya will source the land for the arena, while the NBA will finance the construction.
The agreement was part of a discussion between the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Salim Mvurya, and senior NBA officials led by NBA Africa CEO, Clare Akamanzi.
“The NBA, in turn, pledged to mobilise funding and technical expertise to deliver a facility that will not only attract international events like the BAL but also create pathways for Kenyan athletes to access global platforms, generate jobs, and boost Kenya’s economy,” a statement from the Ministry of Sports said.
Akamanzi praised the decision, saying, “Kenya has all the ingredients to become a basketball powerhouse in Africa: talent, passion, and strong government support. This arena will be a game changer, creating opportunities for local players and positioning Kenya as a premier hub for global basketball events.”
At present, Nyayo National Stadium Indoor Arena remains the country’s only premier indoor court, hosting national league matches, international friendlies, and major tournaments.
Other available courts include the United States International University court, the Railways Club court in Upper Hill, the Strathmore University courts, and the Buruburu courts in Nairobi.
In Mombasa, the Makande Gymnasium (indoor) and KPA courts serve Mombasa-based clubs such as the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), which hosts league fixtures there.
The construction of a new state-of-the-art basketball arena would therefore elevate Kenya to the level of countries such as Rwanda, which has become a continental hub for tournaments following the construction of the Ksh13 billion BK Arena.
“This arena will not only be a landmark for Kenya but also a beacon of opportunity for our athletes,” said Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.
“It aligns squarely with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), where sports is a key pillar for youth empowerment, economic growth, and social cohesion. By partnering with the NBA, we are investing in talent, jobs, and Kenya’s future as a continental sporting hub.”
