Underscoring the organization’s commitment to gender equity and long-term community impact, the unveiling was preceded by a women’s coaching clinic. The event was attended by Augusta James Teima, Sierra Leone Minister of Sports and Amara Babila Keïta, President of the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation. Kissy is home to more than 20,000 residents, many facing economic hardship, with a population largely comprised of women, children, and the elderly.

This same week, Giants of Africa unveiled its 48th Built Within court, and second under Dribble for Peace, at Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry in Conakry, Guinea.

The event was followed by a women’s coaching clinic and attended by Masai Ujiri, Giants of Africa Board Member Ramatu Ujiri, Dr. Facinet Conté, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation in Guinea, and Amara Babila Keïta, President of the Guinean Basketball Federation. Guinean artist Lil Saako also performed at the unveiling ceremony. As the largest university in the country, UGANC is central to shaping Guinea’s next generation of leaders. Both courts were built thanks to a donation from FORTA Advisors.

Last month, Giants of Africa announced Dribble for Peace, the latest phase of Built Within, which expands the initiative into the Sahel region, focusing on communities facing ongoing conflict, instability, and environmental decline. Through Dribble for Peace, Giants of Africa builds on its existing presence in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Senegal, while expanding into Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, South Sudan, and Sudan for the first time.

Of these new court openings Masai Ujiri reflected; “Opening courts in Sierra Leone and Guinea is a milestone for Giants of Africa and for my family. This is our first time working in these countries, where my wife's roots run deep, and that connection makes this moment especially meaningful. We hope these courts become spaces where young people can dream big and believe anything is possible.”

Now nearing the halfway point of Built Within’s 100-court goal, Giants of Africa has expanded the initiative to 15 countries across the continent. Additional court unveilings are planned for May.

About Masai Ujiri and Giants of Africa

Masai Ujiri, an award-winning and barrier-breaking NBA executive, is the founder of Giants of Africa. Started in 2003, GOA draws upon Ujiri’s unique basketball journey to achieve its goal of uplifting African youth with programs focused on empowerment and leadership.

As the first African general manager in North American professional sports who was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2013, Ujiri’s ascent to the top of the basketball world began in his native Nigeria and took him around the world as a player, scout and executive, culminating in 2019 when he served as the architect of a Toronto Raptors team that became the first franchise outside the United States to be crowned NBA champions.

Ujiri is also a co-founder of Zaria Group, a firm catalyzing sports, entertainment, and cultural infrastructure across Africa.

In 2025, the UN Secretary-General appointed Ujiri as a Sustainable Development Goals Advocate, a position where he uses his platform to promote youth empowerment, education, equality, and sustainability. In 2026, he joined the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo as a Principal Owner, supporting the growth of women’s basketball. Ultimately, he believes his work with Giants of Africa will prove to be the most meaningful and rewarding of his life.