Over 400 Juniors Benefit from Financial Literacy Clinics at M-PESA Jr.NBA Tournament
Junior Basketball players battle it out at the M-PESA Jr.NBA tournament held in Mombasa over the weekend. (Photo/Courtesy)
By Mwakwaya Raymond
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
More than 400 juniors from the Coast region benefited from a financial literacy session organized by M-PESA Go during its National Basketball Association (NBA) tournament held at Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa on March 8-9, 2025.
Speaking at the event, M-PESA Go Growth manager Kawira Mugambi noted that it was important to impart financial literacy to young people as early as 10 years as this would help them grow the future when it came to managing their own finances.
“We witnessed an incredible turnout of nearly 500 kids for the M-PESA Jr. NBA tournament in Mombasa.
Before the games began, we conducted financial literacy clinics to educate and empower them on key financial management principles such as saving and the importance of embracing healthy financial habits,” he said.
The financial literacy clinics took place on the first day’s morning before the basketball games officially kicked off.
The games featured 40 teams, with 480 players (boys and girls) competing in 5 aside matchups in the knockout stage.
“I have participated in many tournaments, but the M-PESA Jr. NBA experience stands out. It has not only provided my players with a great sporting platform but also invaluable financial literacy knowledge through M-PESA Go.
Learning about savings and investment at such a young age is crucial in shaping a financially responsible future generation,” said Wholly Kawemba, coach and teacher of Umoja JSS Changamwe.
Winners took home smartphones and airtime, courtesy of Safaricom M-PESA.
M-PESA Go is a financial product by Safaricom designed for teens and preteens aged 10 to 17 by allowing them to access M-PESA services at a younger age.
M-PESA Go, however, restricts services such as cash withdrawals, access to digital loans, and payments related to betting or forex trading, thus, ensuring safety and responsible usage.
While NBA Africa is an affiliate of the NBA, a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.
NBA Africa conducts the league’s business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL),and has opened subsidiary offices in Cairo, Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; Johannesburg, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya.
The league’s efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through youth and elite development, social responsibility, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, NBA Stores, and the BAL.
