Since its inception in 1966 in Guinea, the Women’s AfroBasket has reflected both the growth of basketball on the continent and the shifting dynamics of women’s sports development in Africa.
By Tuka Letura
For the first time in its history, Côte d’Ivoire will welcome Africa’s finest women’s basketball teams to the Palais des Sports de Treichville, as the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket tips off.
The Women’s AfroBasket, officially known as the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, is the premier continental competition in African women’s basketball. Organised biennially by FIBA Africa, the tournament not only crowns the best national team in Africa but also serves as a qualifier for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and the Olympic Games.
As the curtain falls on this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Afrocritik’s attention is already shifting to the basketball court. On Thursday, 25 July, Côte d’Ivoire will, for the first time in its history, host the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket. Twelve national teams will converge in Abidjan for two weeks of high-intensity competition, national pride, and a quest for continental supremacy.
Since its inception in 1966 in Guinea, the Women’s AfroBasket has reflected both the growth of basketball on the continent and the shifting dynamics of women’s sports development in Africa. The inaugural winners were the United Arab Republic, while Guinea and the Central African Republic rounded out the early podium.
Over the decades, Senegal have emerged as the most successful side in African women’s basketball, securing a record 11 titles between 1974 and 2015. However, a new era of dominance has since emerged, led by Nigeria — the reigning champions — who have claimed four consecutive titles (2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023).
How the Teams Got to Côte d’Ivoire: Qualification Overview
The 2025 edition features 12 national teams, including host nation Côte d’Ivoire, who qualified automatically. The remaining teams earned their places via zonal qualifiers and rankings.
The seeding for the draw, revealed on 20 April 2025, placed teams into three pots based on FIBA world rankings:
Pot 1: Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali
Pot 2: Egypt, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda
Pot 3: Angola, Cameroon, Guinea, Mozambique
Group Stages
The official group stage draw, conducted on 23 April 2025 in Abidjan, split the twelve teams into four groups of three. The top team in each group advances directly to the quarterfinals, while the second and third-place teams contest a playoff for the remaining spots.
Tournament Format:
- After the group stage (26–28 July), the format progresses as follows:
- Group winners go directly to the quarterfinals.
- Second- and third-place teams from each group play in a knockout round (Playoffs).
- Winners of these playoffs join the group winners in the quarterfinals.
- The path continues with semi-finals, final, and placement matches to determine rankings 1–8.
The tournament also plays a significant role in Olympic and World Cup qualification cycles. Strong performances here influence seedings and invitations to international qualifiers.
Fixtures to Watch: Opening Days in Abidjan
All matches are scheduled at the Palais des Sports de Treichville. Abidjan.
Key Opening Fixtures (All times WAT/UTC +1):
Group Phase
Saturday, 26 July
12:30 — Senegal vs Guinea (Group C)
15:30 — Nigeria vs Rwanda (Group D)
19:30 — Côte d’Ivoire vs Egypt (Group A)
22:30 — Mali vs South Sudan (Group B)
Sunday, 27 July
13:00 — Guinea vs Uganda (Group C)
16:00 — Egypt vs Angola (Group A)
19:00 — Rwanda vs Mozambique (Group D)
22:00 — South Sudan vs Cameroon (Group B)
Monday, 28 July
13:00 — Uganda vs Senegal (Group C)
16:00 — Mozambique vs Nigeria (Group D)
19:00 — Angola vs Côte d’Ivoire (Group A)
22:00 — Cameroon vs Mali (Group B)
Knockout Phase: 30 July – 3 August
Wednesday, 30 July – Qualification to quarter-finals
Thursday, 31 July – Quarter-finals
Friday, 1 August – Classification games
Saturday, 2 August – Semi-finals & remaining classification games
Sunday, 3 August – Final and 3rd place game
Contenders to Watch
Group A
Côte d’Ivoire is hosting the tournament for the first time and hopes to become the first home team to win the title in two decades. After narrowly missing out on the knockout rounds in 2023, they return with renewed determination under new head coach, Stéphane Leite. With strong home support and a veteran core, Les Éléphantes are targeting their first-ever podium finish.
Angola arrives with a proud history but has experienced a recent dip in form. Champions in 2011 and 2013, they have not progressed beyond the quarter-finals since 2015. Qualification for this year’s tournament was hard-fought, but the squad remains packed with experience and young talent. If they can find rhythm early, Angola is a dangerous side capable of making a deep run.
Egypt completes the group as one of the most consistent participants in the tournament, although they have not claimed silverware since 1977. After finishing 10th in 2023, they come in looking to reverse recent fortunes. Backed by seasoned players and solid preparation, they will be aiming to at least reach the knockout stage and re-establish their place among the continent’s elite.
Group B
Mali is one of Africa’s most decorated teams, with eight medals to their name. Although they last won gold in 2007, recent silver and bronze finishes in 2021 and 2023, respectively show they remain firmly in the title conversation. Renowned for elite youth development, Mali continues to produce talent that feeds directly into the senior squad. This year’s team is youthful, energetic, and aiming to take the final step back to the top.
Cameroon enter the tournament ranked sixth in Africa and are eager to claim their first AfroBasket medal away from home. Their best finishes have come in Yaoundé — including silver in 2015 and bronze in 2021 — while results on foreign soil have been more modest. With a balanced roster and consistent leadership on the sidelines, they’ll aim to convert domestic form into continental success.
South Sudan are making their Women’s AfroBasket debut and are the only first-time participants in the 2025 edition. Their qualification via wildcard follows an encouraging run in the Zone 5 qualifiers. As one of the continent’s newest programmes, they arrive with little pressure and plenty of pride, hoping to lay a strong foundation for future campaigns.
Group C
Senegal remains the most successful team in the tournament’s history with 11 titles, although their last came in 2015. After a string of near-misses, including three final defeats to Nigeria, the pressure is mounting. With a new-look squad and experienced leadership on the sidelines, the Lionesses are focused on ending their title drought and reclaiming their place at the top of African basketball.
Uganda arrives with growing confidence after securing back-to-back AfroBasket appearances for the first time. A strong showing in the Zone 5 qualifiers has boosted belief, and they now look to build on their seventh-place finish in 2023. Improving with each outing, they could prove a disruptive force in this group.
Guinea comes into the tournament with something to prove following a surprise quarter-final run in 2023. That breakthrough featured a landmark win over Angola, signalling their ability to compete at the highest level. With a solid core and valuable experience gained, Guinea is aiming to show that last year’s success was no fluke.
Group D
Nigeria enters as the team to beat. The defending champions are chasing a record fifth consecutive title and have not lost to an African side since 2015, boasting a 29-game unbeaten run on the continent. Head coach Rena Wakama, recently honoured as the 2024 Olympic Coach of the Year, returns with the ambition of becoming the first woman to win two AfroBasket titles. Leading on the floor is Ezinne Kalu, a former MVP whose leadership and big-game presence remain crucial. Nigeria’s depth and dominance make them the clear favourites.
Mozambique arrives in Abidjan with history on their minds and a chip on their shoulder. After narrowly missing out on qualification, they were granted a wildcard and now have a second chance. With three silver medals in past editions but no title to show, this is a team with something to prove. Ranked fourth in Africa, they bring both experience and ambition to a difficult group.
Rwanda, fourth-place finishers in 2023, will be looking for a turning point—and the current squad appears well-positioned to push even further. Coach Sheikh Sarr has built a team that blends youth with international experience. Centre Bella Murekatete anchors the side, coming off a strong pre-qualifier campaign, while WNBA forward Keisha Hampton and guards like Destiney Philoxy bring scoring and control. Rwanda has the talent and structure to make a real run.
What we look forward to most is seeing who steps up when it matters, who breaks through, and how this gathering of talent pushes the women’s game to a new level on the continent.
Tuka Letura is an experienced sports writer with over six years of experience in the craft. He uses data and statistics to provide analysis and commentary. From regional to worldwide competitions, he has covered a wide range of sports-related events and topics. He is devoted to sharing his enthusiasm for sports with his audience and engaging them with interesting anecdotes and viewpoints.