Kizz Daniel, Timaya to brighten Giants of Africa festival
RWANDA: CELEBRATED artistes, Kizz Daniel, Uncle Waffles and Timaya, are expected to light up this year’s Masai Ujiri’s Giants of Africa Basketball Festival as it returns to Rwanda in July this year
Masai Ujiri’s Giants of Africa Basketball Festival is weeklong celebration of Basketball , entertainment, Culture and community will be held in Kigali, Rwanda from July 26 to August 2 this year.
The founder of the event, Masai Ujii, who also serves as the Vice Chairman and President of Toronto Raptors confirmed today from Toronto that the three stars are coming to brighten the Giants of Africa Basketball as it returns to Rwanda.
He said Giants of Africa is a non-profit sports organization dedicated to empowering African youth through basketball.
According to Ujiri, Giants of Africa Festival 2025 will make the Rwandan capital a vibrant city.
The event will bring together 320 young athletes over 20 African nations, and more than 20,000 spectators for a week of community, culture, basketball, education, and entertainment. The festival will unite communities, spark potential, and drive transformative change across the continent.
“Like these kids, I grew up on the continent,” says Ujiri. “As Africans, we know the landscape of what the kids go through. We know they dream just like we did and it really inspires me because, those kids have so much more talent and intelligence, they have ways to communicate now that we didn’t. This festival is about showing them there is a path. We want them to never stop dreaming.”
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Giants of Africa Festival 2025 will begin with an exhilarating Opening Show, as the athletes unite in an inspiring parade to kick off the weeklong celebration. South African international DJ sensation Uncle
Waffles, MTV Video Music Award-winning choreographer Sherrie Silver, and Rwandan singer and songwriter, Kevin Kade will bring electrifying performances as Ujiri and special guests welcome all to the festivities.
The awe-inspiring event will mark the beginning of life-changing journeys for Africa’s leaders of tomorrow.
Taking place across Kigali Sports City’s BK Arena, Amahoro National Stadium, Petit Stade, and Paralympic Gymnasium, the festival will showcase the full potential of Africa’s sports and entertainment ecosystem, highlighting its social and economic value for the next generation and the continent at large.
Giants of Africa Festival 2025 will also serve as the grand opening of Zaria Court. Founded by Ujiri, the new mixed-use sports, entertainment, and cultural district includes an 80-room hotel, sports bar, basketball court, event space, retail outlets, gym, five-a-side football pitch, and outdoor public areas.
The festival will conclude with a spectacular Closing Concert featuring performances from Nigerian Afrobeats artist Kizz Daniel and award-winning Nigerian singer/songwriter Timaya. Celebrity guests in attendance throughout the week will include Chris Tucker, Candace Parker, Robin Roberts, Chiney Ogwumike, Didier Drogba, Michael Blackson, Boris Kodjoe and more. Additional performers for both the Opening Show and Closing Concert will be announced in the coming weeks.
