Masai Ujiri challenges African youth to dream bigger

Giants of Africa Co-Founder Masai Ujiri has asked African youth to believe in their potential, grow with purpose, and uplift others along the way. He says the future of the continent rests in their hands.

He said this in Kigali, at the International Youth Day Forum held at BK Arena in Kigali, where over 2,000 youth aged 15 to 19 from 20 African countries gathered as part of the ongoing Giants of Africa Festival.

The week-long event, which runs from July 26 to August 2, brings together young innovators, entrepreneurs, and students.

Among the notable guests were Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and Arts Jean-Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima; Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire, and Fred Swaniker, Founder of the African Leadership University (ALU). Ujiri thanked President Paul Kagame, First Lady Jeannette Kagame, the Imbuto Foundation, and the Rwandan government for their support of the continental initiative.

“I am overwhelmed just by the support of the people of Africa and how they have supported. We can all support each other and even make ourselves bigger.”

He also acknowledged the NBA family for its long-term collaboration in promoting basketball across the continent. “My mom used to pull my ear, and she would say, ‘Is this basketball going to feed you? Is this basketball going to feed you?’ It’s feeding a whole lot of other people now.”

Ujiri encouraged youth not to compare themselves to others but to recognise their values and shared roots.

Ujiri believes Africa has ‘everything’ to become great, “Because you see all of us here that came to speak, we say we are CEOs, presidents, we are champions, we say we are this, we are that. Guess what? We all grew up in Africa. We wore our pants the same, we wore our shorts the same, and we went to school with no shoes. We all did it the same. And we got to where we are. If we can do it, I’m telling you I’m not that smart. You guys are smarter. I know all of us are not as smart as you, the youth. If we can do it, you guys can do it bigger, better.”

“We dreamed of something big, something that was not about ourselves. It’s about you guys. We will come and go. You are tomorrow. You are the future of Africa. So, take it and go. Believe and grow and be better. And make this continent something.

“When you become something, stay humble. Come back and take people with you. Be something; be meaningful to our continent because our continent is bigger than all of us. And it’s time we respect that. Instead of fighting each other, we stay together,” he added.

Minister Utumatwishima commended Giants of Africa for choosing Rwanda to host the 2025 edition of the festival. “Your name alone speaks volumes, ‘Giants’. It’s not about height or fame; it’s about mindset. You remind us that being a giant is possible for African youth, not just in basketball, but in business, global leadership, the arts, and innovation.”