ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - With the biennial Women's AfroBasket just around the corner, fans, scouts, and the teams themselves are wondering where they rank.
After thoroughly examining each of the twelve teams' preparation, history, additions, and absences, we were able to compile the first volume of the 2025 Women's AfroBasket Power Rankings.
The 12-nation tournament will take place from July 26 to August 3 in Abidjan, the largest city in Côte d'Ivoire.
1. Nigeria
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 11th
A team that hasn't tasted defeat on the continent for a decade and continues to make waves on the global stage deserves to be ranked at the top of this list.
With several players who helped Nigeria become the most dominant team in Africa returning for Abidjan 2025 and coach Rena Wakama continuing on, Nigeria is indirectly saying that continuity is key to maintaining their dominant status.
2. Mali
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 24th
One of the most intriguing questions in African basketball is how a team that dominates all youth categories on the continent and wins titles after titles can last lift the Women's AfroBasket trophy in 2007, while finishing on the lower steps of the podium countless times—including as hosts.
There is clearly still a gap between the youth and senior tournaments on the continent, but Mali is a team that won't be taken lightly in Abidjan.
Most of their future stars have matured into professional players earning a living around the globe. More importantly, whoever the final 12 players are, one thing is certain: they have played together at some point in their careers, which for most began on home soil.
3. Senegal
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 27th
If any team is affected by Nigeria's dominance in African basketball, it's Senegal, a country with eleven African titles, a record.
In an effort to turn things around, Senegal made a smart move by signing Coach Otis Hugley Jr., who led Nigeria to two African titles in 2019 and 2021. They went a few steps further, too, by naturalizing exceptional playmaker Cierra Dillard.
To boost Senegal's hopes of winning a continental title, Ndioma Kane has refined her game, which could be useful for the Senegalese team.
The cancellation of their training camp in the US due to visa issues wasn't what the Lionesses expected, but they regrouped in Saly, Senegal, and resumed preparing for Abidjan 2025.
At this stage, Senegal ranks this high mainly due to its unpredictable ability to rise to the occasion.
4. Mozambique
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 32nd
Some of Mozambique's most talented players came and went without winning an African title. All eyes are on the current group of players, led by the recently reappointed coach, Nasir Sale. Sale guided his country to the Women's AfroBasket tournament for the last time when Mozambique hosted it in 2013.
The Mozambican team is experienced and brings together a new generation led by the renowned Leia Dongue, who has won numerous individual awards on the continent. Dongue is one of the most decorated club players in Africa, having won three Women's Champions Cups: one with Ferroviario de Maputo (2008) and two with Angola's Primeiro de Agosto (2015 and 2017).
She has spent the last eight years of her professional career in Europe.
5. Uganda
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 52nd
Don't be fooled by Uganda's 52nd world ranking.
What Uganda achieved in the qualifiers in Cairo earlier this year was a testament to their immense growth in recent years.
Beating the hosts, Egypt, 74-63 in the Zone 5 qualifiers final after losing to them 65-62 in the group phase was a statement like no other.
Lethal scorer Paige Robinson, who averaged 15.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists for the Gazelles, has yet to join the team's training camp. However, the arrival of Jane Asinde is a major boost for the Gazelles.
6. Egypt
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 37th
One poor performance in February in Cairo deeply compromised Egypt's chances of winning the Zone 5 Qualifiers. Uganda came prepared to deny the hosts the only automatic ticket to the Final Round, which is offered to Zone 5 teams.
Egypt has become a force to be reckoned with, not only in Zone 5, but across the continent, as its No. 4 ranking illustrates. With players like Nadine Mohamed and Reem Elgedawy reaching their full potential, this Egyptian team might cause some damage in Abidjan.
7. Angola
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 46th
Angola, the two-time African champions in 2011 and 2013, continue to chase their heyday. They were put to the test when they played a home game for the first time in four decades, denying regional rivals Mozambique in the two-game series in February and securing the region's automatic qualifying ticket.
The Angolans continue to show signs of revival. Having former Olympian Paulo Macedo — a renowned point guard in the 1980s and '90s — at the helm seems to have reinvigorated the Black Antelopes.
After their worst result ever at the 2023 Women's AfroBasket, where they finished 10th, Angola is headed to Abidjan looking to reclaim their former glory.
8. Cote d'Ivoire
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 53rd
A three-week training camp in Turkey, the highly anticipated arrival of Kariata Diaby (who was recently released by the Connecticut Sun), and the addition of former WNBA player Ameryst Alston have massively boosted the hosts' chances ahead of the African Championship.
9. South Sudan
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 86th
Although South Sudan fell short of automatic qualification, they later received a wildcard for the 2025 Women's AfroBasket.
Beating FIBA Africa Zone 5 powerhouse Kenya twice speaks volumes about their recent progress.
South Sudan is not only the only debutant at the 2025 Abidjan showpiece, but they are also expected to make valuable additions to their Women's AfroBasket debut.
10. Rwanda
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 86th
This 10th place in the initial power ranking doesn't diminish Rwanda's potential. It simply raises questions about the team's ability to perform away from home. They were spectacular two years ago, finishing fourth, and repeated that impressive performance during the 2026 Women's Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifiers last August. The inevitable question is: How far can this team go? Only time will tell.
11. Cameroon
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 44th
From Cameroon's appearances at the Women's AfroBasket, we learned that the Lionesses tend to perform better at home.
After finishing second in the 2015 Women's AfroBasket tournament in Cameroon, the Lionesses claimed their second podium finish by placing third in their capital city of Yaoundé in 2021.
Their best result away from home was fourth place, which they achieved in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2013.
12. Guinea
FIBA Women’s World Ranking presented by Nike: 91st
Two years ago in Kigali, they registered their most famous win at Women's AfroBasket by beating former African champions Angola 71-69.
But can they build on that historic victory? That's the most frequently asked question about Guinea. Only time will tell.
DISCLAIMER: The Power Rankings are completely subjective and in no way represent an official or precise ranking system. All comments reflect the author’s opinions.