Masai Ujiri Unveils Zaria Court Kigali in Landmark Launch

Zaria Court Kigali officially opened its doors on Tuesday night with a landmark launch event, marking a transformative moment for African urban infrastructure and cultural development.

The $26 million mixed-use complex is the flagship project of Zaria Group — Africa’s premier developer of sports, entertainment, and cultural infrastructure — co-founded by NBA champion Masai Ujiri in partnership with Helios Sports and Entertainment Group.

Located adjacent to Kigali’s iconic BK Arena and Amahoro Stadium, Zaria Court was unveiled during a grand opening attended by hundreds of dignitaries, cultural leaders, youth advocates, and international guests. Among the notable attendees were business magnate Aliko Dangote, ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike, NBA Africa President Amadou Gallo Fall, American broadcaster Robin Roberts, comedian Michael Blackson, leadership expert Fred Swaniker, and RDB CEO Clare Akamanzi.

“Today marks more than the opening of a building – it’s the beginning of something transformational,” Ujiri said during his address. “Zaria Court represents everything we’ve dreamed of: a place where African excellence takes centre stage, where our youth see unlimited possibilities, and where culture and community thrive together.”

“We’re not just building venues; we’re building the foundation for Africa’s cultural renaissance. Courts create communities, venues create value, and ecosystems create economies.”

The multi-functional facility features an 80-room boutique hotel, a 2,000-person event space, a podcast studio and creative co-working hub, a public basketball court, five-a-side football pitches, a fitness centre, curated restaurants, a sports bar, retail outlets, and a children’s playground.

Zaria Court Kigali is designed to serve as a blueprint for similar developments across Africa, strategically leveraging Rwanda’s role as a continental hub for innovation, governance, and youth empowerment. The project is expected to generate over 500 quality jobs, with a focus on women and youth, including retail incubation programmes for women-owned SMEs.

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, who spoke at the event, lauded the project’s potential to ignite cross-sectoral development across the continent.

“Zaria Court, along with the ecosystem built around it, marks just the beginning,” Kagame said. “Its influence extends beyond Rwanda. There is tremendous potential to identify and nurture talent — potential that is limitless.”

“Sport unites people every day. That shared spirit can inspire growth and progress in numerous sectors. What we cultivate here can elevate many others.”

Zaria Court’s launch reflects a growing wave of institutional confidence in Africa’s burgeoning sports and entertainment economy. With its blend of cultural celebration, community focus, and commercial infrastructure, the development aims to redefine the urban African experience — authentically, ambitiously, and unapologetically.