BAL Unveils 6 New Basketball Courts in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) announced the rollout of six newly refurbished basketball courts across Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal, launching an infrastructure push tied to NBA Africa’s decade-long target to construct or overhaul 1,000 courts across the continent. Designed to support thousands of young athletes and community members annually, the initiative kicked off with completions in Saint-Louis and Abidjan before rolling out a series of partner-backed site openings extending through December.

Infrastructure Rollout Across West Africa

NBA Africa’s broader capital and logistical commitment aims to address a historical shortage of organized athletic facilities in urban and coastal regions. Each upgraded site features a restored playing surface, new spectator seating, and updated stanchions. Select locations incorporate modernized locker rooms, upgraded sanitation facilities, and integrated lighting systems to facilitate evening play.

The sequence of launches began on Sept. 30 in Saint-Louis, Senegal, at the Université Gaston Berger (UGB). Developed in collaboration with the national oil and gas company Société des Pétroles du Sénégal (PETROSEN), the indoor facility serves students and residents within the UNESCO World Heritage city. Days later, on Oct. 3, a second site opened in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, at the Groupe Scolaire Lac in Koumassi. Partnering with Wave Côte d’Ivoire, that location follows an initial Abidjan launch from November 2025 and serves nearly 3,000 weekly participants.

New Venues Host Youth Leagues and Development Programs

Beyond physical construction, the venues are structured to anchor structured athletic calendars and local leagues. In Abidjan, the Koumassi site hosts a weekly development program for 300 girls aged 18 and under drawn from eight municipal schools, alongside the Saturday Ligue Jeune competition for youth players.

BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall emphasized the community-building aspect of the initiative. These newly refurbished courts reflect our commitment to investing in communities and making the game more accessible to young people across Africa, Fall stated. Together with our partners, we are creating spaces where the next generation of African basketball players, fans, and changemakers can grow, connect and thrive.

Upcoming Site Launches and BAL4HER Integration

The remaining schedule features targeted partnerships through December. On Oct. 7, Woodside Energy backed the opening of a court in the coastal fishing community of Joal, Senegal, complete with secure fencing and a youth clinic. On Oct. 9, an outdoor seaside court along Dakar’s Atlantic coastline opened in collaboration with the Ville de Dakar, featuring a new scoreboard, storage facilities, and perimeter fencing, followed by the finals of the local BAL City Run tournament.

The expansion also introduces the first two BAL4HER facilities on the continent, developed alongside the Qatar Foundation. The first opened on Oct. 30 in Guédiawaye, Senegal, functioning as a multi-sport hub for basketball, volleyball, and handball while hosting leadership and health workshops for women and girls. A second BAL4HER site in Owerri, Nigeria, scheduled for December in the Imo State, includes drainage upgrades and locker room refurbishments with support from BAL ambassador Chiney Ogwumike alongside her non-profit, Queens of the Continent.

Rollout Calendar Lists Completion Dates for Six Sites

The rollout follows a strict calendar of completions spanning four months:

• Sept. 30, 2026: Saint-Louis, Senegal (Université Gaston Berger) with PETROSEN.
• Oct. 3, 2026: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Groupe Scolaire Lac) with Wave Côte d’Ivoire.
• Oct. 7, 2026: Joal, Senegal with Woodside Energy.
• Oct. 9, 2026: Dakar, Senegal with Ville de Dakar.
• Oct. 30, 2026: Guédiawaye, Senegal with Qatar Foundation.
• December 2026: Owerri, Nigeria with Qatar Foundation.