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Giants of Africa, a non-profit organisation founded by sports executive and UN Sustainable Development Goals advocate Masai Ujiri, has unveiled its 47th and 48th community basketball courts under its Built Within initiative.
Launched in 2021, the Built Within project aims to construct 100 community basketball courts across Africa, using sport as a platform for youth empowerment and social development.
On April 16, 2026, the organisation commissioned its 47th court at the Murialdo Institute of Entrepreneurship, Technology and Management in Kissy, Freetown, Freetown, Sierra Leone. The event, which highlighted a strong commitment to gender inclusion and community development, was preceded by a women’s coaching clinic.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included Sierra Leone’s Minister of Sports, Augusta James Teima, and the President of the Sierra Leone Basketball Federation, Amara Babila Keïta. Kissy, a densely populated community of over 20,000 residents, is largely made up of women, children, and the elderly, many of whom face economic challenges.
In the same week, Giants of Africa unveiled its 48th court at Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry in Conakry, Guinea. The facility marks the organisation’s second court under its newly introduced Dribble for Peace initiative.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by Ujiri, board member Ramatu Ujiri, Dr. Facinet Conté, Secretary General of Guinea’s Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, as well as Amara Babila Keïta. The event also featured a performance by Guinean artist Lil Saako.
Both courts were constructed through the support of FORTA Advisors.
Earlier this year, Giants of Africa launched Dribble for Peace as an extension of the Built Within initiative, targeting communities in the Sahel region affected by conflict, instability, and environmental challenges. The programme builds on existing operations in countries such as Nigeria, Senegal, and Burkina Faso, while expanding into new territories including Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, South Sudan, and Sudan.
Speaking on the milestone, Ujiri described the openings as significant, particularly given his family’s personal ties to the region.
“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,” he said.
With 48 courts now completed, Giants of Africa is approaching the halfway mark of its 100-court target, having expanded its footprint to 15 countries across the continent. More court unveilings are scheduled for May.
