Porto-Novo Gears Up to Host Landmark 2025 FIBA Africa Mini Basketball Forum

In what promises to be a landmark celebration of youth basketball, the city of Porto-Novo, Benin’s capital, will welcome the continent’s brightest young talents and basketball educators for the 2025 FIBA Africa Mini Basketball Forum, scheduled for April 24–27. This gathering is set to ignite a new chapter in grassroots basketball development across Africa.

Held at the renowned Don Bosco de Parakou Center, this year’s forum will bring together an estimated 400 children, alongside coaches, referees, managers, and parents, all united by a common mission—to nurture the next generation of African basketball stars through structured play, education, and mentorship.

More Than a Tournament: A Movement for the Future

Far more than just a series of games, the Mini Basketball Forum is a vibrant, pan-African initiative aimed at embedding the core values of teamwork, respect, discipline, and fun in children aged 6 to 12—the crucial age where first contact with sports can shape lifelong habits and passion.

This forum represents the continued commitment of FIBA Africa to not only grow the game but to plant roots that will flourish long into the future. Through the support of the FIBA Africa Development Council, mini-basketball is being positioned as the foundation for a sustainable basketball ecosystem on the continent.

A Multidimensional Experience

During the four-day event, young participants—drawn from different regions across Benin—will immerse themselves in a packed schedule that includes:

• Technical skill-building workshops

• Friendly matches and age-appropriate competitions

• Interactive sessions with coaches and mentors

• Cultural and recreational activities designed to build unity and confidence

Each activity is crafted to meet children at their developmental level, ensuring that the emphasis remains on learning through play rather than intense competition.

Simultaneously, coaches, referees, and educators will receive advanced training from international basketball experts, delving into mini-basketball's unique methodology. These sessions aim to equip stakeholders with the tools to foster physical literacy, motor coordination, and holistic growth in young players.

Investing in Tools, Not Just Talent

Understanding that quality play begins with the right environment, FIBA Africa will also distribute age-specific basketball equipment, including smaller-sized balls and custom-designed hoops to suit children’s physical needs. This practical support ensures that every child can train in conditions tailored to their stage of development—removing barriers and making the sport accessible and enjoyable.

A Continental Collaboration

Adding a broader layer of influence, the forum will host delegates from 15 national basketball federations across Africa. These representatives won’t just be observers—they are expected to return home and implement at least two local mini-basketball programs before the year ends, using the training and inspiration gained in Porto-Novo.

This ripple effect is at the heart of FIBA Africa’s long-term vision: empowering local leaders to drive mini-basketball development in their own communities and, ultimately, building a self-sustaining pipeline of young talent across the continent.

Building on the Momentum of 2024

The 2025 forum follows the resounding success of last year’s edition in Madagascar, where 400 children and 70 coaches gathered at the Kianja Barea in Mahamasina to lay the foundation for this emerging movement. That event set a powerful precedent, demonstrating just how impactful these forums can be in shaping Africa’s basketball future.

Now, all eyes turn to Benin, where the 2025 edition promises to go even further—deeper engagement, wider participation, and a stronger foundation.

A Future Shaped Through Play

As Africa continues to rise as a global force in basketball, investments at the grassroots level are more important than ever. The 2025 FIBA Africa Mini Basketball Forum is more than an event—it’s a commitment to shaping a future where every child, regardless of background, has the chance to bounce a ball, make a pass, score a basket, and dream big.

Porto-Novo will soon become a canvas for that dream—one painted with laughter, learning, and the boundless energy of young African athletes taking their first steps toward greatness.