Kawhi Leonard, Ayra Starr to join Giants of Africa celebration in Kigali

Two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard and Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr have been added to the star-studded lineup of the Giants of Africa Festival 2025, due on 26 July to 2 August in Kigali, Rwanda, the organisation announced.

Leonard, who plays as a small forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, will mentor youth campers, open a new basketball court in partnership with Giants of Africa at St. Ignatius School in Kibagabaga, and host a special clinic for 50 local youth at Club Rafiki.

Ayra Starr will take part in the festival as a performer at the festival’s closing concert on August 2, joining a powerhouse lineup that includes Afrobeats stars Kizz Daniel and Timaya.

To launch the week of unforgettable music, basketball, culture, and community moments, the festival’s opening show on July 27 will feature performances by South African DJ Uncle Waffles, MTV VMA-winning choreographer Sherrie Silver, Rwandan musicians Chriss Easy, Kevin Kade, Ruti Joël, and Boukuru.

Moreover, Rwandan artist Alyn Sano will headline the festival’s inaugural Threads of Africa Fashion Show on July 31.

There will also be other celebrity guests who will appear throughout the week, including Didier Drogba, Robin Roberts, Chiney Ogwumike, Michael Blackson, and Boris Kodjoe, among others.

Giants of Africa Festival 2025 will unite 320 young athletes from 20 different African nations, and more than 20,000 spectators for a week of community, culture, basketball, education, and entertainment. The week-long event will be returning to the lively city of Kigali, following its inaugural event in 2023 in celebration of the non-profit’s 20th anniversary.

Since 2003, Giants of Africa, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering African youth through basketball, has hosted camps and built courts across the continent.

The foundation not only teaches game fundamentals but also connects young people with inspirational mentors who show how determination, integrity, and leadership can transform dreams into reality.

The 2025 festival will bring this vision to life with a weeklong youth basketball camp and tournament, uniting young men and women from Rwanda, Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Gabon, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, D.R. Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Morocco, Botswana, and South Africa.

The 2023 inaugural event brought together over 250 youth basketball players from 16 African nations, drew in over 14,000 spectators, and saw an estimated $1.5M invested into Kigali’s local economy, according to Giants of Africa.

It had Nigerian sensation Davido, Bruce Melody, Tiwa Savage, and South African singer-songwriter Tyla performing at the closing concert at Kigali’s BK Arena.

Photo: Nigerian iconic musician Davido headlined the closing concert of the Giants of Africa Festival 2023 at Kigali's BK Arena.

Photo: The Giants of Africa Festival 2023's closing concert saw BK Arena full-packed, with the crowd enjoying vibrant performances from Tiwa Savage, Davido, Bruce Melody, and Tyla.