NBA Africa League Expansion

• Record Number of Teams: The 2025 season features 12 teams, including six new entrants, expanding the league's reach and competitiveness.​

• First-Time Participants: Notably, Kenya and Cape Verde are debuting in the league, alongside teams from Libya, Central African Republic, and Burundi, reflecting BAL's growing pan-African presence.​

• New Host City: For the first time, Morocco will host BAL games, with the Kalahari Conference taking place in Rabat from April 5–13.​HYPE Magazine+4The BAL+4Wikipedia+4

📍 Host Cities & Venues

• Rabat, Morocco: Kicking off the season with the Kalahari Conference.​The BAL

• Dakar, Senegal: Host of the Sahara Conference.​The BAL

• Cairo, Egypt: Venue for the Nile Conference.​

• Pretoria, South Africa: Finals will be held at the SunBet Arena in June.​The Eastleigh Voice News+2bal.africa-newsroom.com+2The Stadium Business+2

🌍 Strategic Expansion

BAL's expansion aligns with the NBA's broader strategy to invest in African basketball, aiming to develop local talent and reduce the migration of players to other continents. The league's growth is also seen as a response to the increasing global demand for basketball content, with the NBA seeking to enhance its presence in Africa .​

🔮 Looking Ahead

The 2025 season is poised to elevate African basketball by introducing new teams, expanding its geographic footprint, and fostering local talent development. This expansion not only enhances the league's competitiveness but also strengthens its role in the global basketball ecosystem.