FIBA Africa has undertaken a significant restructuring of its administrative framework, granting enhanced authority to its seven zonal bodies in a bid to strengthen basketball development across the continent.
The decision, reached during a landmark Central Board meeting in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, empowers zone presidents to conduct comprehensive audits of sporting facilities within their jurisdictions, addressing a growing concern over the scarcity of world-class basketball venues in Africa.
The three-day gathering, which concluded on 19 November, marked the inaugural attendance of newly appointed FIBA Africa Executive Member and Zone 3 President, Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu. The meeting highlighted the stark reality that among FIBA Africa’s 54 member federations, even prominent nations like Nigeria lack facilities meeting international standards.
An analysis of major FIBA Africa competitions over the past five years reveals that only eight nations have possessed the infrastructure to host significant tournaments: Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tunisia.
The continental body’s strategic shift comes as part of a broader initiative to decentralise oversight and enhance regional accountability. Zone presidents are now tasked with maintaining closer supervision of national federations under their purview, ensuring compliance with international standards and facilitating development programmes.
“This restructuring represents a fundamental shift in how we approach basketball development across Africa,” a FIBA Africa spokesperson told our correspondent. “By empowering our zones with greater oversight responsibilities, we’re creating a more robust framework for growth at the grassroots level.”
The organisation has already mapped out its major competition hosts through 2027, demonstrating a long-term commitment to strategic planning and infrastructure development. This forward-thinking approach aims to expand the number of nations capable of hosting international tournaments, ultimately strengthening African basketball’s global standing.
