The Africa Basketball Festival (ABF) is set for a major transformation, with organisers announcing that the event will be hosted outside Ghana for the first time in 2027.
The disclosure was made during the launch of the 2025 edition on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the University of Ghana Basketball Court, Legon, marking a historic turning point for the fast-growing sports and cultural festival.
The announcement came as organisers and partners celebrated the fifth anniversary of the festival. To mark the milestone, this year’s edition embraces a special “Five Theme”, showcasing five participating countries, five fashion brands and five musical performances. The 2025 festival will run for five days, from December 10 to 14, beginning at 3 p.m. each day at the University of Ghana Basketball Court.
Delivering the headline announcement, Head of RITE Sports Services and founder of the festival, Yaw Sakyi Afari, said the ABF was ready to expand its footprint beyond Ghana after five successful editions. “After hosting the festival in Ghana for five successful years, the ABF will remain in Ghana for one more edition next year after which another country, either in Africa or outside the continent, will host all the participating countries in 2027,” he said.
Mr Afari explained that the festival’s global appeal made its expansion necessary. “The Africa Basketball Festival is a global festival and so the energy must be felt in different countries and audiences. Countries will bid to host the festival in 2026, and the winning country announced during the 2026 festival in December in Ghana,” he added.
This year’s launch event created significant momentum for the 2025 festival, with organisers promising the most vibrant edition yet. The Five Theme concept is expected to amplify the festival’s blend of basketball, fashion, music and cultural exchange, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s most exciting multidisciplinary events.
As preparations intensify ahead of December, anticipation is growing not only for the 2025 festival but also for the new phase ABF will enter when it leaves Ghana for the first time in 2027.
The 2025 Africa Basketball Festival is sponsored by Glico General Insurance, GTS Drilling, Indomie Noodles, GTV Sports Plus, Points Africa, Warrior King Watches, Lamborghini Energy Drink, The Luckiest, Minimie Atsomo, Lush Hair, Verna Water, Ghana Basketball Association, Nkonkonsa.com, Awuah Sports, Sporty FM, Nescafe and the Ghana Tourism Authority. It is organised by RITE Sports Services and hosted by the University of Ghana Sports and Wellness Directorate.
