Africa-Press – Rwanda. Masai Ujiri, the former Toronto Raptors executive and founder of Zaria Group, plans to take his $25m Zaria Court concept from Kigali to more African cities, building sports-focused hotels and arenas aimed at transforming the continent’s sports and entertainment landscape.
Opened in July, Zaria Court combines an 80-room hotel with a 2,000-seat arena, two five-a-side football pitches, a gym and wellness center, a sports bar, and a playground park.
The former-NBA basketball player-turned-businessman told American publication Semafor that he plans to establish a chain of facilities modelled along Zaria Court in other major cities to support sports and entertainment on the continent.
Ujiri, who co-founded Giants of Africa, said he intends to replicate the model in cities including Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, and Abidjan, where he says the lack of arenas has long stunted the growth of sports and live entertainment.
“We lack arenas on the continent, even in the big markets,” he told Semafor. “Sports is suffering on the continent” due to inadequate facilities—a gap he hopes to close by building venues that can host both athletes and artists.
The launch of Zaria Court saw a host of events, including basketball games, star-studded music performances and a fashion show, among other things.
For Ujiri, Rwanda has served as his launchpad, aided by government support, as he tapped into the country’s burgeoning tourism and sports sector.
VIDEO: Masai Ujiri talks Kagame’s mentorship, Giants of Africa, sports development
During a recent visit to Rwanda, Ujiri told The New Times that President Paul Kagame’s partnerships with the NBA and global football clubs have been an enabler for growth and created platforms “that didn’t exist before.”
“When you look at what’s happening in Rwanda, especially around sports infrastructure, it’s clear they’re setting an example for the rest of the continent,” he said, days after hosting the Giants of Africa Festival.
He said Zaria Court’s mission extends beyond hotels to inspiring the next generation to see sports as a gateway to education, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
“I want young people to believe they can be even bigger and better than I ever was,” he said, reflecting on his upbringing in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. “I grew up with so many talented kids, and I know there’s so much in Africa that can be better and bigger.”
Ujiri acknowledged that expansion into other African markets may require raising more private capital and negotiating with host governments. But the goal, he said, is clear: “All these places need this… we’re going to talk to all these governments.”
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