Clare Akamanzi: Experienced Business Executive Takes Helm As NBA Africa CEO

• Clare Akamanzi has been appointed as the CEO of NBA Africa
• She will oversee all business and basketball development initiatives
• Akamanzi holds a Master's Degree from Harvard University's School of Government

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has appointed Clare Akamanzi, a seasoned business executive and international trade and investment lawyer, as the CEO of NBA Africa.

Her tenure is set to commence on January 23, 2024, and she will report directly to NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum.

In her new role, Akamanzi will oversee the NBA's business and basketball development initiatives in Africa.

She will play a pivotal role in expanding the popularity of basketball, the NBA, and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) across the continent. This includes activities such as grassroots basketball development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and social responsibility initiatives to enhance the well-being of African youth and families.

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Previously serving as the CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) for the past six and a half years, Akamanzi played a crucial role in steering Rwanda's economic growth by fostering private sector development.

Her leadership at RDB saw various business policy reforms and initiatives implemented, resulting in significant investments and collaborations with entities such as the BAL, Arsenal FC, Paris Saint-Germain FC, FC Bayern Munich, and TIME Magazine.

“Clare’s business acumen, international experience and familiarity with basketball and the NBA make her the ideal executive to lead our business in Africa. NBA Africa and the Basketball Africa League are well-positioned for continued growth. Under Clare’s leadership, we believe these initiatives will transform economies, communities and lives across the continent,” Tatum is quoted on Capital Sport.

With extensive international trade, business, and diplomatic experience, Akamanzi has worked for the Rwandan Government at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, and the Rwandan Embassy in London, England. She holds an honorary LLD from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. She earned master's degrees from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

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"I've seen first-hand how sports can positively impact businesses, families, and communities in Africa, and the NBA and the BAL are a perfect example of that. The NBA has done an incredible job growing basketball and the economy around it across the continent, and I'm excited about the enormous opportunities ahead to build on that momentum," Akamanzi said, as reported by The New Times.

Akamanzi's noteworthy achievements include serving on the boards of companies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) Foundation, ECOBANK, and Aviation, Travel, and Logistics (ATL) company. Forbes recognized her as one of Africa's Top 50 Powerful Women in 2020.

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In January, Sports Brief reported that the NBA were in talks to host its first-ever preseason game in Africa.

Africa and the NBA have a deep connection with African players in the NBA and several developmental clinics and exhibition games.

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The NBA partnered with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on the BAL and has regional offices in Cairo, Johannesburg, Lagos (Nigeria) and Dakar (Senegal).