Former NBA executive Masai Ujiri unveils US$26M sports-themed hotel Zaria Court in Kigali, Rwanda, aiming for pan-African expansion

RWANDA – Masai Ujiri, former vice president of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and retired basketball player, has launched Zaria Court, a US$26 million sports-themed hotel in Kigali, Rwanda.

This debut property is the first of at least five planned hotels across major African cities. Ujiri’s vision is to build a network of hotels anchored by sports and performance arenas, addressing a critical shortage of professional sports venues on the continent.

Zaria Court, which opened in July 2025, is situated in Kigali’s emerging Sports City district, just steps from key venues including BK Arena and Amahoro Stadium.

The hotel is designed as a vibrant hub blending hospitality, sports, entertainment, and culture, with 80 boutique rooms, rooftop lounge, sports bar, heated pool, and multi-purpose courts.

It aims to serve athletes, artists, and visitors seeking a unique lifestyle experience that celebrates African creativity and community.

The hotel is backed by Helios Investment Partners, an African private equity firm managing US$3 billion in assets.

This partnership underscores a significant investment in Africa’s hospitality infrastructure, intertwining it with the continent’s evolving sports and entertainment ecosystems.

Ujiri highlighted the persistent lack of arenas in Africa’s major cities, including Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, and Abidjan, limiting opportunities for sports and cultural events.

By increasing the number of high-quality venues, his company aims to transform the landscape for African athletes and performers alike, closing a major gap in sports infrastructure.

Zaria Court’s design reuses an architecturally significant modernist building, historically important to Rwanda’s recent history, repurposed as a dynamic cultural and sport-focused destination.

The project also features retail spaces supporting local entrepreneurs and public areas fostering community and creative exchange.

With plans to develop similar integrated sports and hospitality venues in other African markets, Ujiri’s Zaria Group aims to deliver scalable and impactful developments supporting urban growth and empowering youth through sport and entertainment.

This hotel project represents a strategic investment in Africa’s untapped sports tourism potential and emerging hospitality sector, aiming to catalyze broader economic, social, and cultural development across the continent.

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