KAWHI LEONARD JOINS AYRA STARR AS A HEADLINER OF THE GIANTS OF AFRICA SPORTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL 2025
TWO-TIME NBA CHAMPION AND NIGERIAN POP SUPERSTAR TO CO- HEADLINE WEEKLONG CELEBRATION OF BASKETBALL, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY IN KIGALI, RWANDA | JULY 26–AUGUST 2
Toronto, ON (July 15, 2025) – Giants of Africa, the non-profit organization founded by Toronto Raptors Vice-Chair and President Masai Ujiri, today announced two of the most anticipated names for Giants of Africa Festival 2025: two-time NBA Champion Kawhi Leonard and Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr.
Leonard, known globally for his excellence on the court and quiet leadership, will serve as a featured guest and mentor throughout the weeklong event. The L.A. Clippers forward will open a brand-new basketball court at St. Ignatius School, host a youth basketball clinic for 50 kids at Club Rafiki, and engage directly with young athletes from across the continent during the festival’s marquee activities.
Nigerian pop superstar Ayra Starr will headline the Closing Concert on August 2, joining an already stacked music lineup that includes Kizz Daniel, Timaya, and local Rwandan favorite Alyn Sano, who will perform at the festival’s inaugural Threads of Africa Fashion Show on July 31.
The Opening Show on July 26 will kick off the festivities with performances from Uncle Waffles, Sherrie Silver, and Rwandan talents Kevin Kade, Ruti Joel, and Boukuru.
Additional celebrity guests confirmed for the week include Robin Roberts, Chiney Ogwumike, Didier Drogba, Michael Blackson, Boris Kodjoe, and more.
Returning to Kigali, Rwanda for its second edition from July 26–August 2, the Giants of Africa Festival will bring together 320 young athletes from 20 African nations, alongside over 20,000 spectators, for a transformational week of basketball, culture, and community empowerment. The event is designed to showcase the power of sport and entertainment to unify and inspire.
Masai Ujiri recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and Good Morning America to discuss the impact of the festival and how it sparks change across the continent.
Since 2003, Giants of Africa has built courts and hosted camps throughout Africa, using basketball as a tool for youth leadership and community growth. The festival continues that mission with a powerful combination of sport, education, mentorship, and music, connecting youth from Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Gabon, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, D.R. Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Morocco, Botswana, and South Africa.
The 2025 edition builds on the success of the inaugural Giants of Africa Festival in 2023, which featured performances by Davido, Tiwa Savage, Bruce Melodie, and Tyla, and injected $1.5M into Kigali’s economy. This year, with Kawhi Leonard and Ayra Starr leading the charge, the festival is set to reach new heights.
Tickets for the Opening Show and Closing Concert are on sale now. To purchase tickets, VIP, or corporate packages, visit www.GOAFestival.org or email info@giantsofafrica.org.
About Masai Ujiri and Giants of Africa:
Masai Ujiri, an award-winning and barrier-breaking sports executive, is the founder of Giants of Africa. Started in 2003, Giants of Africa 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. Ultimately, he believes his work…
About Kawhi Leonard:
Rising from a standout collegiate career at San Diego State, Kawhi Leonard has built a reputation as one of the league’s most efficient two-way players in the NBA. Known for his lockdown defense, smooth mid-range game, and quiet intensity, he consistently brings poise and production to every LA Clippers game. Off the court, Leonard channels his success into meaningful impact. Deeply connected to his hometown of Moreno Valley, California, he’s led community-driven initiatives such as youth camps and local school supply d
Kawhi Leonard & Ayra Starr to Headline Giants of Africa Festival 2025 in Kigalirives. With a focus on giving back and lifting up the next generation, Kawhi Leonard continues to build a legacy rooted in excellence, humility, and purpose.
