BAL Innovation Summit 2025

The BAL Innovation Summit convened champions of sports from the sports industry, talent, captains of industry, policy makers and investors to forge purpose-driven partnerships to help conquer seemingly insurmountable challenges to develop sports and the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs) in Africa for real sustainable impact.

$20B

by 2035

Sports

Africa’s sports market is growing rapidly, with potential to exceed $20 billion by 2035. Despite challenges like limited funding, expertise and infrastructure, global interest is rising, and sports are seen as a key driver for economic and social development across the continent.

20M

jobs by 2030

Creative & Cultural Industries

Africa’s creative and cultural industries (CCIs) are growing fast, with the potential to add $200 billion to Africa’s GDP and create over 20 million jobs by 2030. Driven by talent, technology, and global interest, they offer both economic value and social impact.

0.5%

GDP

Tech in Sports & CCIs

Africa’s sports and creative sectors are limited by infrastructure but rapidly advancing through digital innovation. Technology is driving global reach, investment, and growth, unlocking new opportunities across content, performance, and entrepreneurship.

How do we monetise sports and the creative economy leveraging technology to harness Africa’s potential socioeconomic gain?

Thematic Areas

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Investment Opportunities

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Technology

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Growth Strategies

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Broadcasting

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Advocacy

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Talent Development

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Event Highlight

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Remarks by Clare Akamanzi, CEO, NBA Africa

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Watch The sessions

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Event Photos

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Creative & Cultural Industries

Innovate

Creative & Cultural Industries

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Creative & Cultural Industries

Network

Meet our speakers

Programme

9am

Arrival & Badge collection

10am

Opening

10.15am

Plenary: Sports & CCIs as economic growth drivers for Africa

11.20am

Beyond the arc: Coaching Innovation in Basketball

11.45am

Built for the Community. Ready to Scale

11.50am

Bridging Funding Gaps: Unlocking Private Capital for Sports & Creative Industries

12.35pm

NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator

12.45pm

Lunch & Networking

1.50pm

The Career Remix: The Power of Reinvention

2.10pm

Catalyzing the impact of technology to power sports & CCIs growth

2.55pm

Transforming Talent and Inspiring the Next Generation

3.40pm

Earn Your Leisure with Rashad Bilal & Troy Millings

4.35pm

The Career Remix: The Power of Reinvention

4.50pm

Remarks by Jean Guy Afrika, CEO, Rwanda Development Board

4.55pm

Closing session

5.10pm

Kigali Sports City Tour

7.15pm

Social events

8am - 11am

Networking 9-hole golf game (Limited Attendance)

12pm – 3pm

Business Networking Brunch (Limited Attendance)

4pm

BAL Games