By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, Cameroon—The Basketball Africa League (BAL) is set to make history as it kicks off its fifth season in April 2025, with Morocco hosting the league for the first time. This milestone marks a significant expansion for the league, further cementing its position as a premier basketball competition on the continent. It will also be the first season in which the playoffs of the league will be held outside of Rwanda.
The announcement was made on November 21, during the BAL Season 5 Announcement Call with BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall. The BAL confirmed that Morocco’s vibrant basketball culture and world-class facilities make it an ideal host for the highly anticipated tournament, with the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex hosting the opening.
The Moroccan Royal Basketball Federation (FRMBB) announced on 12 November 2024 that Rabat would be one of the host cities of the first phase of the 2025 season. Petro de Luanda will be the defending champions, having won the previous season.
A Landmark Moment for Morocco & South Africa
This marks the first time the Basketball Africa League will hold games in Morocco, highlighting Morocco’s growing influence in African sports. The tournament’s Playoffs & Finals will also for the first time be hosted by South Africa.
Speaking at the Announcement Call, BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall said: “Morocco has always been a priority market and a priority country… South Africa will undoubtedly have some exciting finals in 2025.”
“There is a growing interest from fans, as well as the quality of the games on the court. The competition is very intense… We continue to work with FIBA to see how we can improve.”
The competition’s expansion to Morocco and South Africa aligns with BAL’s mission to grow the sport across the continent, inspire the next generation of athletes, and create opportunities for economic development through basketball.
The 2025 season will maintain its dynamic format, featuring 12 teams representing champions of domestic leagues across Africa and additional qualifiers. The tournament will begin with the Kalahari Conference from April 5-13. From April 26 to May 4, the Sahara Conference will unfold in Senegal while from May 17-25, Rwanda will host the Nile Conference.
From June 6-14, South Africa will host the BAL Playoffs & Finals for the first time, bringing together the best eight teams from the various conferences. Fans can expect thrilling basketball action, featuring rising stars and established talent from across the continent, alongside electrifying halftime shows and community outreach programs.
Impact on African Basketball
The BAL continues to elevate African basketball by providing a platform for talent development and creating pathways for players to reach international leagues. Hosting the league in Morocco also underscores the BAL’s commitment to spreading the game’s influence beyond traditional basketball strongholds in sub-Saharan Africa.
The number of directly qualified teams has also changed from the previous four seasons, as the BAL now allocated about eight direct slots to designated leagues and markets. As such, the champions of Morocco and South Africa were given a direct spot in the tournament, while about four teams will qualify through the Road to BAL.
The defending champions Petro de Luanda were the first team to qualify, as they won the 2023-2024 Angolan Basketball League on 12 May 2024 to be eligible for a record-extending fifth season in a row. Al Ittihad Alexandria will make its debut, becoming the third Egyptian club to play in the league and it is the greatest Egyptian basketball club in history. ASCVD became the third Senegalese club to qualify following their Nationale 1 title.
As anticipation builds, the BAL’s fifth season promises to deliver unforgettable moments for basketball fans across the continent and beyond. The journey tips off in April 2025, and all eyes will be on Morocco as it takes centre stage in the evolution of African basketball.
About the BAL
The Basketball Africa League (BAL), a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the NBA, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams across Africa that completed its fourth season in June 2024. Headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, the BAL builds on the foundation of club competitions FIBA Africa has organized across the continent and marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside North America.
