Empowering Africa’s Sports And Cultural Ecosystem: Insights From NBA Africa’s Triple-Double Accelerator And Startup Founders

Africa’s digital economy is on the rise, and with a youthful population rapidly increasing, the continent is positioning itself as a global hub for innovation. By 2030, it is estimated that young Africans will account for 42% of the world’s youth and 75% of those under age 35 in Africa, offering vast potential to transform various industries, including sports and the creative economy.

In an interview with Forbes.com ahead of the NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator Demo Day in New York City, Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, shared more about the program and underscored the transformative power of Africa’s youthful demographic. “Africa is made up of young people trying to make the continent better than what their parents experienced,” she stated, highlighting the critical importance of harnessing this vibrant energy for innovation and growth.

Forbes.com also spoke with two of the ten finalists in the accelerator, providing insights into their journeys and the innovations they are bringing to the forefront.

The Triple-Double Accelerator: Empowering Young Entrepreneurs Through Innovation

The NBA Triple-Double Accelerator, developed in partnership with ALX Ventures, aims to enhance Africa’s sports ecosystem and support creative industries across the continent. The accelerator received an overwhelming 700 applications, from which 10 finalists from seven African countries were selected for an intensive mentorship program. Today, these finalists will pitch their products to a panel of international industry leaders at the NBA headquarters in New York City.

“This platform was created to assist young people in bringing their ideas to life and taking them to market,” explained Akamanzi. “Africa’s young people are natural innovators; they just need support to unlock their full potential.”

The selected startups underwent rigorous mentorship focused on refining their business models and preparing them for a global stage.

Following the pitches, the panel will determine the four winning companies, which will receive financial support and additional mentorship, including participation in workshops and development programs facilitated by NBA Africa or its partners. This initiative aims to ensure that these startups are not only viable in Africa but also competitive internationally, establishing the continent as a hub of innovation in sports and creative industries.

A Path to Global Impact: Criteria for Success and NBA Africa’s Vision

The finalists in the Triple-Double Accelerator were evaluated based on stringent criteria, including the viability and scalability of their business models, their potential impact on Africa’s sports and creative ecosystems, and their ability to address unique challenges faced by the continent.

Akamanzi noted, “We want to give African startups an opportunity to sit at the table and take their ideas to the next level,” highlighting a commitment to investing in talent and nurturing long-term partnerships. She added, “The ten finalists received support to prepare and organize themselves, and the four winners will gain even more mentorship and funding.” This approach reflects NBA Africa’s vision of creating sustainable, homegrown solutions for the continent’s growing sports community.

Vambo AI: Leveraging Technology to Preserve Africa’s Languages

One of the finalists is Vambo AI, a startup dedicated to preserving and promoting indigenous African languages through AI technology. The founder, Chido Dzinotyiwei, shared her personal journey and the challenges that inspired her to create this venture. “I am extremely passionate about languages because I faced some language-related challenges while growing up,” she explained. “I had to repeat Grade 4 because I was not fluent in the language of instruction, which was English. My teacher did that so I wouldn’t be limited in fulfilling my full potential because of language.”

This formative experience shaped her mission and motivated her to establish a business focused on language education. “After completing my degree in economics at UCT, I decided to start a business that focused on teaching people language, both their mother tongue as well as English,” she said. Vambo AI has since evolved into an AI-powered platform serving over 14,000 users. “Vambo AI is a year and two months old, and we cover over 40 African languages. This has helped us understand the specific needs of different communities.”

Dzinotyiwei articulated her vision for the platform’s future: “Right now, we are really good at translation and text-to-text solutions, which means we can do subtitles and captions for speech. But we want to expand into speech and voice recognition to make the solution even more inclusive.” Her ambition is to ensure that even those who are differently abled, such as individuals who are blind, can engage with content such as sports in their mother tongue or the language they have mastered.

The opportunity to participate in the NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator has been pivotal for Vambo AI. “This experience has helped us understand what it takes to serve a global company like the NBA and NBA Africa,” Dzinotyiwei remarked. “We hope to secure more clients of that calibre. This opportunity has validated our hard work and what we are contributing to the ecosystem.”

With Vambo AI having grown to 14,000 users since its inception, Dzinotyiwei highlighted the importance of long-term sustainability for their business: “We want to ensure that our products remain within someone’s business long term. You don’t want to raise money and sell to one or two people; you want to become sustainable.” This focus on longevity underscores Vambo AI’s commitment to being a lasting contributor to the language technology landscape in Africa.

Buzza: Transforming Sports Fan Engagement and Community Building

In Nigeria’s thriving tech scene, Buzza is emerging as a leader in sports technology under the guidance of 25-year-old Taofeeq Lawal. Inspired by the challenges he faced while managing sports leagues in university, Taofeeq used his computer science background from Veritas University to create a digital platform that improves sports community operations. “Managing points and assists during our league was always a struggle, leading to disputes,” Taofeeq recalled. “This experience sparked my idea to create a website to address these issues.”

Buzza’s success relies on its innovative approach to sports management, offering automation tools that help communities transition from traditional paper methods to a comprehensive digital platform. Taofeeq emphasized, “Many sports communities in Africa lack access to automation tools despite seeking improvement. We’re changing that behaviour, but it requires time and training.”

Joining the Triple Double Accelerator, designed to nurture African sports tech startups, has been crucial for Buzza. Taofeeq expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting, “We knew the accelerator would provide insights to navigate our growth across the continent. The NBA’s experience in building sustainable sports leagues, like The BAL, has been invaluable.”

The program has helped refine Buzza’s business model and connect with mentors who understand the complexities of the sports tech industry. Further enriching his understanding, Taofeeq highlighted lessons from the founder of ALX, who stressed the importance of long-term vision and scalability. “It’s not just about solving today’s problems but also about building scalable solutions. This perspective is crucial as we look to expand Buzza’s reach.”

By integrating gamification, Buzza enhances user engagement and fosters deeper connections between athletes and their communities. The revenue model has adapted to meet community needs, with Taofeeq noting, “Initially, we faced revenue challenges, but we now charge businesses between $50 and $1,000 yearly, depending on community size. Our mentors have guided us in converting free users into paid ones.” This adaptability positions Buzza for sustainable growth in the competitive sports tech landscape.

Currently, Buzza has 5,000 registered users, with around 2,000 active during the school year, although participation dips in the off-season. Taofeeq and his team are exploring strategies to maintain user interest year-round. As Buzza evolves, it prioritizes fostering strong networks within the sports community. Taofeeq noted insights from industry leaders, including Gbemisola Abudu, NBA Africa Vice President, who emphasized the value of quality connections for growth. By prioritizing relationships, Buzza lays the groundwork for a robust community to support its long-term vision.

The Role of Technology in Africa’s Growing Sports Ecosystem

The NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator exemplifies the transformative power of technology in shaping Africa’s sports landscape. From enriching fan experiences to fostering player engagement and enhancing sports management, technology is central to this evolution.

Akamanzi emphasized the critical role of digital innovation, making reference to the BAL, noting, “Technology is integrated into everything we do—from delivering products on and off the court to elevating live sports experiences.” The startups within the accelerator are leveraging technology to create solutions that meet the surging demand for sports and entertainment across the continent.

Initiatives like the Triple-Double Accelerator empower young innovators to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s sports ecosystem. Akamanzi noted, “Some solutions developed in the program focus on AI, event organization, and enhancing the live experience for sports fans.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Triple-Double Accelerator

The Triple-Double Accelerator shows great promise in expanding its impact to support more African startups in the global sports and creative sectors. Akamanzi outlined the program’s future goals: “We aim to make this an annual initiative, continually improving our approach based on insights gained this year. Inclusivity remains our top priority; we are working to develop solutions that address technology access and infrastructure challenges, benefiting a wider range of African communities.”

In the rapidly changing world of sports technology, NBA Africa is not only participating in the conversation but also empowering the youth of the continent to drive it forward. With their innovative platform and commitment to community engagement, they are poised to make a lasting impact on Africa that goes beyond basketball.

As these startups take their first steps toward global impact, they not only represent their own aspirations but also the innovative spirit of Africa. By supporting their journeys, NBA Africa aims to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, ultimately establishing the continent as a powerhouse of innovation in the sports and creative industries.