20th BWB Africa Camp Will Bring Together 60 of the Top High-School-Age Prospects from Across the Continent; Current and Former NBA (www.NBA.com) Coaches Three-Time NBA Champion Player Sam Cassell, Jesse Mermuys, Darko Rajaković, Ikenna Smart and Ekpe Udoh Will Serve as Camp Coaches Alongside Two-Time WNBA Champion Sylvia Fowles and Former WNBA Player Mfon Udoka.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) today announced 60 of the top high-school-age prospects from across Africa who will participate in the 20th edition of the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa camp, which will be held at the American International School of JOHANNESBURG (AISJ) in South Africa from Saturday, Aug. 3 – Tuesday, Aug. 6.

BWB Africa 2024 will host 60 boys and girls from 24 African countries – including five NBA Academy Africa prospects – to learn directly from current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches and compete alongside their peers from across the continent.  The campers will be coached by 2016 FIBA AfroBasket U18 champion Bruno Fernando (most recently with the Atlanta Hawks; Angola), 2022 NBA champion Moses Moody (Golden State Warriors; U.S.) and 2016 FIBA U17 World Championships winner Immanuel Quickley (Toronto Raptors; U.S.).

Three-time NBA champion player and Boston Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell (U.S.), Orlando Magic assistant coach Jesse Mermuys (U.S.), Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković (Serbia), former NBA player and Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Ekpe Udoh (U.S.; ties to Nigeria), two-time WNBA champion Sylvia Fowles (U.S.), former WNBA player and current FIBA Players’ Commission Member Mfon Udoka (U.S.; ties to Nigeria) and Portland Trail Blazers Assistant Video Coordinator Ikenna Smart (Nigeria) will also serve as BWB Africa 2024 coaches. 

Raptors’ Director of Global Scouting Patrick Engelbrecht (South Africa), Utah Jazz Vice President of Global Scouting Luca Desta (Ethiopia) and WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin (Ghana) will serve as BWB Africa 2024 camp directors.

Dallas Mavericks’ Head Athletic Trainer Dionne Calhoun (U.S.) will serve as the camp’s athletic trainer and Cleveland Cavaliers’ Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Derek Millender (U.S.) will serve as the camp’s sports performance coach.

The players and coaches will lead the campers through a variety of activities, including movement efficiency drills, offensive and defensive skill stations, three-point contests, 5-on-5 games, and life skills and leadership development sessions.  A ceremony on the final day of the camp will award the Kim Bohuny Camp Most Valuable Player (MVP), the Patrick Baumann Sportsmanship Award, the B.J. Johnson Most Improved Player Award, the Three-Point Champion and the Defensive MVP to the boys and girls who distinguish themselves on the court and as leaders.

The camp will also feature several community outreach initiatives, including a Her Time to Play seminar for the female campers on Sunday, Aug. 4 and a community engagement with South African nongovernmental organization (NGO) Rhiza Babuyile in Diepsloot, Johannesburg on Monday, Aug. 5.  In addition, the BWB Africa 2024 coaches will lead a basketball clinic for local coaches at AISJ on Sunday, Aug. 4.   

BWB Africa 2024 will be supported by Nike, a global partner of BWB since 2002, which will outfit participants with Nike apparel and footwear, and Gatorade, which will keep players and coaches hydrated throughout the camp.

Forty-one former BWB campers were among the record 125 international players http://apo-opa.co/3Yzp45I on opening-night rosters for the 2023-24 NBA season, including 2022-23 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2011), who became the first former BWB camper to be named NBA MVP, and 2019 NBA champion Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2012).  In total, 13 former BWB Africa campers have been drafted into the NBA since the first BWB Africa camp in 2003.  Sixty-three former BWB Africa campers have also been featured on Basketball Africa League team rosters over the league’s first four seasons.

BWB has reached more than 4,500 participants from 142 countries and territories since 2001, with 127 former campers advancing to the NBA or WNBA.  The NBA and FIBA have staged 76 BWB camps in 51 cities across 33 countries on six continents.

The following is a complete list of players participating in the 20th BWB Africa camp (rosters subject to change):

GIRLS

Name

Country

Ana Servico

Angola

Margarida Solunga

Angola

Zourfaou Garba

Benin

Aline Suzy Nyeck

Cameroon

Anchi Enjoh Liya

Cameroon

Traidah Matongo

Congo Brazzaville

Haya Alhalawany

Egypt

Hala Elwakil

Egypt

Janelle Nana Gyampo

Ghana

Fanta Gaye

Guinea

Fatoumata Ousmane Barry

Guinea

Nissi Mayaka

Kenya

Valentine Chelangat Korir

Kenya

Lahatra Razanakarivelo

Madagascar

Sarah Aaliyah Mellouk

Morocco

Amy Diop

Senegal

Fatou Kine Diop

Senegal

Binta Seye

Senegal

Helena Faye

Senegal

Lana Schreyer

South Africa

Reatlegile Taukobong

South Africa

Arek Ater Makuei

South Sudan

Elizabeth Singoi Laizer

Tanzania

Upendo Isaya Katamboi

Tanzania

Ines Ben Rejeb

Tunisia

Souad Garna

Tunisia

Eya Bahlous

Tunisia

Taonga Shanzi

Zambia

Choolwe Simubali

Zambia

Shamiso Makomba

Zimbabwe

BOYS

Name

Country

Graciano N’tonha

Angola

Celestino Augusto

Angola

Leandro De Carvalho

Angola

Josemar Cesar

Angola

Gaetan Twumgue Wafo *

Cameroon

Irene Patrick Guiongo

Central African Republic

Ephraim Masala

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ali Mohamed Assran *

Egypt

Mohamed Wael Shahin

Egypt

Omar Essam Soudy

Egypt

Keny Akilas Mouckocko

Gabon

Opassi Onguiti Ben

Gabon

Nana Yeboah

Ghana

Mohammed Salim Ali

Ghana

Loic Andianjatovo

Madagascar

Mohamed Sangare

Mali

Ajala Chidalu David

Nigeria

David Ugonna Ike *

Nigeria

Dante Niiayi Otite

Nigeria

Cheikh Biteye

Senegal

Cheikh Bamba Thiam

Senegal

Tinyiko Makhubela

South Africa

Demasio Dieu Bang

South Sudan

Paulino Mangar Majok *

South Sudan

Garang Garang Macham

South Sudan

Choi Thon Mangak

South Sudan

Mohamed Abdelkodous Nheri

Tunisia

Adem Slimane

Tunisia

Ahmed Bedoui *

Tunisia

Tejan Joel Rugette

Uganda

                           *NBA Academy Africa prospect

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

BWB Africa 2023 Recap Video http://apo-opa.co/3YrU6MP (Credit: NBAE)

Contact:
Chumani Bambani
NBA Africa, cbambani@nba.com
+27 65 548 1031

Schools, police stations, prisons, health facilities and bridges. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has funded numerous such infrastructure projects in Western Equatoria State, not least in its Greater Mundri area.

The latest addition to the impressive list is a recently inaugurated community peace centre in Kediba, the main town in Mundri East County.

“Our problems are over because now we have a place where we can gather and resolve our differences amicably,” said an upbeat Thomas Kebi Galiya, a local youth leader.

Robert Roba, representing the peacekeeping mission during the ceremony that saw the new structure being handed over to local authorities, explained the rationale behind the decision to pay for the building to be constructed.

“People living here faced difficulties in holding dialogues. We hope that this community peace centre will be helpful in building and maintaining peace among communities in Mundri East County by giving them a nice space where crucial talks can be held,” he said.

The centre will indeed mean that citizens won’t have to sit under suitable trees to discuss important matters, as Paramount Chief Benson Hakim pointed out. Instead, they can enjoy two offices and a spacious community hall in nice-looking, solar-powered premises.

The centre is part of the UN peacekeeping mission’s Quick Impact Project programme, which funds small-scale, low-cost initiatives that can be implemented swiftly. Among project proposals submitted by communities across the country, the ones that are deemed to improve the quality of life of all residents are given priority.

County Commissioner Margaret Fozia Emmanuel praised the community centre but was also keen to point out an older UNMISS-funded project in the area.

““Mundri East had no secondary school, but some time ago, a Quick Impact Project made it possible for girls and boys to attend high school here. Together with other pieces of infrastructure, these initiatives are contributing, significantly, to social cohesion in the county we call home,” she concluded. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has signed a $20 million equity investment in the African Infrastructure Investment Fund 4 (AIIF4). The deal, signed on 31 July 2024, reinforces the Bank’s commitment to fostering private sector development and boosting infrastructure across the continent. 

The investment, approved by the Bank Group’s Board of Directors on 19 June 2024, will be financed from the Bank’s ordinary capital resources designated for private sector operations. 

Africa’s infrastructure sector remains a significant investment opportunity, driven by substantial demand deficits and a scarcity of capital. With rapid urbanization and increasing local purchasing power, the continent requires between $130 and $170 billion annually in infrastructure spending. However, there’s currently a substantial yearly financing gap of $68 to $108 billion. 

AIIF4, with a 13-year term and a 5-year investment period, has completed its first closing at circa $230 million, attracting international investors. To date, the Fund has raised more than the $500 million target, with the final close expected to be concluded in Q3 2024. 

The Fund is projected to deliver significant development outcomes, particularly in private sector growth and household income improvement. The Bank assesses the likelihood of achieving these outcomes on time as “High.”  

The investment also complements the Bank’s ‘High 5’ operational priorities, along with its Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033) relating to accelerating and scaling up its operations. Additionally, the Fund pipeline aligns with the Private Sector Development Strategy (2021-2025), the Climate Change and Green Growth Framework, and the Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience (2022-2026). 

“By providing this scarce private equity investment to AIIM to bridge the infrastructure financing gap in Africa, the Bank is reinforcing its commitment and support to developing infrastructure in Africa to private sector participation. Therefore, our confidence in AIIM as a fund manager is renewed and strong, given its proven expertise and track record in driving impactful investments,” said Mike Salawou, Director for Infrastructure, Cities and Urban Development at the African Development Bank. 

The African Infrastructure Investment Managers have transacted an initial portfolio and identified a robust pipeline of investment opportunities in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and ports and logistics assets in South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco. They are also actively screening deals in Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, among others. 

The AIIF4 investment underscores the increasing role of private equity in addressing Africa’s infrastructure needs and highlights the continent’s potential for sustainable economic growth. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact: 
Kwasi Kpodo
Communication and External Relations
media@afdb.org

Technical contact: 
Hassen Ben Ayed 
h.benayed@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday acknowledged a long-awaited trial verdict handed down in the Republic of Guinea over mass killings and rapes at Conakry Stadium on 28 September 2009. He emphasised the importance of further work to establish the full facts and responsibilities around those events.

Among the eight men found guilty of crimes against humanity in Wednesday’s ruling by the First Instance Court of Dixinn, in Conakry, was former President Dadis Camara. A further four were acquitted.

“After nearly 15 years, the victims, survivors and their families have the right to full justice and transparency,” the High Commissioner said. “It is necessary to continue the path that Guinea has already started towards an end to impunity, and ensuring that all those responsible for human rights violations are brought to justice.” He also called for further strengthening of Guinea’s judicial institutions and guaranteeing their independence as key to preventing the recurrence of such human rights violations.

At least 156 people were killed, many disappeared and at least 109 girls and women were subjected to sexual violence, including sexual mutilation and sexual slavery, when security and military forces attacked a peaceful political rally at the stadium in the capital. A number of victims were tortured to death and buried in mass graves.

Following the deadly events, a UN Commission of Inquiry was mandated to establish the facts and circumstances, and to identify those responsible and make recommendations. With the support of the UN Human Rights Office, the Commission concluded at the time that there was a “strong presumption that crimes against humanity were committed”, with “reasonable grounds to suspect individual criminal responsibility”.

“Those who have lost loved ones, and those who have been subjected to torture and sexual violence have the right to comprehensive psychosocial as well as financial support,” the High Commissioner said.

The court ordered those convicted to provide reparations to the victims and their families.

In addition to giving effect to the final decision of the court, Türk said it was crucial for the Guinean Government to determine the whereabouts of all those who went missing and ensure those responsible for enforced disappearances and associated violations are held to account.

He also stressed the importance of guaranteeing the defendants’ right to appeal.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).