IFC and Masai Ujiri’s Zaria Group partner on sports and entertainment infrastructure across Africa

Pius Ayinor

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Zaria Group, co-founded by NBA Champion and Dallas Mavericks Team President Masai Ujiri, are forming a partnership to develop sports and entertainment arenas in key African cities. The initiative aims to catalyze job creation, especially for youth, while unlocking a new asset class tied to Africa’s creative economy.

As part of this partnership, IFC and Zaria Group will establish a platform approach to developing sports and entertainment districts, building on Zaria Group’s operating experience with venues including BK Arena, Amahoro Stadium, and Zaria Court in Kigali. Initial focus areas include Kigali and Nairobi, with a longer-term ambition to expand into other African cities.

Platform Approach

The proposed Zaria District Platform seeks to develop and operate sports and entertainment venues that are commercially sustainable and able to anchor local creative industries. The Nairobi project is expected to generate approximately 3,500 construction jobs, approximately 1,500 permanent jobs, and some 25,000 event-based jobs, while supporting tourism and urban development priorities under Kenya’s Vision 2030.

IFC’s Role

IFC is advancing this partnership to support Zaria Group’s creation of a platform to activate this emerging asset class, including mobilizing a financing package and an upstream and advisory engagement.

IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop said, “Africa’s creative industries are emerging as major engines of jobs, skills, and inclusion—and IFC is pleased to advance this partnership with Zaria Group to help scale their impact. Sectors such as sports and entertainment already employ millions worldwide and provide accessible entry points into the formal economy, especially for young people and women.”

Masai Ujiri, Co-founder of Zaria Group and Team President of the Dallas Mavericks, said in Kigali, “The sports and entertainment economy in Africa is booming, but we need the infrastructure to match. We’re incredibly proud to partner with IFC to deliver exactly that. When you build the right foundation with the right partners, extraordinary things happen. These districts will generate thousands of jobs, empower local businesses, and become hubs where African culture and talent thrive. We look forward to building sustainable models that keep wealth on the continent and create opportunity at scale, turning Africa’s creative potential into economic reality.”