He made the appeal on Sunday at the opening ceremony of the Giants of Africa Festival 2025, a vibrant week-long celebration of basketball, education, and culture taking place in Kigali.
Addressing over 300 young athletes from 20 African countries gathered at BK Arena, President Kagame praised Giants of Africa founder Masai Ujiri and his team for their unwavering commitment to youth empowerment.
'Masai has invested his passion, his time, his own money and mobilised even more resources to put this festival together,' said Kagame. 'Through him, I also thank his family and all the friends of this continent who support this vision.'
In his speech, Kagame emphasised the deeper purpose behind the festival.
'I want to urge you to believe in the giants that are in you,' he told the youth. 'Put in time on and off the court. That will bring out the giant in youâ€"and that's what Africa needs to do. Giants grow. They stand tall. They believe in themselves.'
He added: 'Africa should not remain lagging behind the rest of the world. In a small way, through this festival, we are reminded that we can grow and bring out the many millions that Africans are, and continue to make Africa proud.'
The President reaffirmed Rwanda's pride in hosting the festival for the second time, highlighting the country's commitment to creating spaces that inspire and uplift Africa's youth.
'We welcome you. We want you to feel at home and we hope you'll be back, even for other things beyond this festival.'
The 2025 edition of the Giants of Africa Festival runs from July 26 to August 2, bringing together youth from across the continent under the theme 'A Borderless Africa.'
The program includes basketball camps led by NBA and WNBA coaches, leadership forums, cultural showcases, fashion events, and concerts featuring international and African artists.
The opening ceremony at BK Arena reflected the energy and vibrance of the festival. South African DJ Uncle Waffles, born Ungelihle Zwane, set the arena alight with a high-energy set that blended her signature Amapiano hits like 'Asylum' and 'Yahyuppiyah' with other popular tracks, thrilling the crowd.
A breakout star in Africa's music scene and a social media sensation, she brought not just music but an unforgettable experience to Kigali.
Also returning to the stage was the Sherrie Silver Foundation, whose young performers blended dance with basketball choreography in an inspiring showcase of creativity and movement. Sherrie Silver, the internationally renowned choreographer and philanthropist, thanked both Masai Ujiri and President Kagame for creating platforms that empower African youth.
Christiane Bukuru, Ruti Joel, and Kevin Kade also delivered captivating performances that kept the audience engaged throughout the evening.
Masai Ujiri, the festival's founder and President of the Toronto Raptors, delivered an emotional speech, declaring his love for Africa and the youth who represent its future.
'You are the future of Africa. Take it. Take it and run. Believe. Grow. Be better. Make this continent somethingâ€"and when you make it, stay humble and take people with you,' he said.
Ujiri also reflected on the humble beginnings shared by many African leaders and athletes, reminding the youth that they too can achieve greatness.
'We all grew up in Africa. We wore our pants the same. We walked barefoot to school. If we can do it, you can do it even bigger and better.'
Rwanda's Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, called the festival a dynamic movement of empowerment.
'Giants of Africa is more than basketball, it's a celebration of African excellence,' she said. 'Thanks to President Kagame's leadership, Rwanda continues to be a place where dreams are nurtured and Africa's future is shaped with purpose.'
Mukazayire urged the youth to remain proud of their roots.
'Believe in your potential, work hard, and never lose sight of your dreams. You have all it takes, we believe in you.'
Beyond the courts, the festival integrates community service, leadership workshops, and cultural immersion. Among the highlights is the unveiling of new basketball courts through the Built Within initiative and a showcase of African fashion under the 'Threads of Africa' event.
Since its founding over two decades ago, Giants of Africa has built basketball courts and launched outreach programs in numerous African countries.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
