KIGALI (Rwanda) – For the second time in its history, the FIBA U16 Women’s AfroBasket tournament will take place in Kigali, the vibrant capital of Rwanda.
When the tournament begins on September 2, basketball fans will once again look to the Petit Stade court, where the 11 national teams will pursue fame and success.
The last time Kigali hosted the tournament in 2019, Mali won their sixth consecutive trophy by defeating Egypt in the final. Since then, it's been the same story: Mali wins, and everyone else chases.
With eight championships in eight editions, the West Africans have turned this tournament into their private showcase, dominating the continental stage with authority.
But as the ninth edition approaches, one question burns brighter than any other: Can anyone finally topple Mali?
The two finalists in the 2025 FIBA U16 Women's AfroBasket will represent the continent at the 2026 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Czechia from July 11 to 19.
How to watch the 2026 U16 Women's AfroBasket
The tournament will be streamed line on FIBA's Youtube channel. CLICK HERE to watch the games.
Mali’s relentless reign
Since its creation in 2009, Mali has dominated the U16 AfroBasket.
Year after year, they have overpowered challengers with a combination of athleticism, discipline, and an endless supply of dazzling young talent.
Egypt, Nigeria, and Angola have all had their moments in the finals, but none have managed to break through.
For Mali, this tournament has never been about survival; it has been about dominance. They have won every time they have appeared, leaving their rivals wondering how to close the gap.
A rivalry written in time : Mali vs. Egypt
If there is one nation that has consistently threatened to spoil Mali’s perfect record, it is Egypt. Their encounters read like chapters in a book of rivalry.
Mali won the first two titles in 2009 and 2011. However, the 2013 final in Maputo was different. Egypt played with determination and almost pulled off the upset, losing by just one point, 62–61.
That scare only seemed to fuel Mali’s fire. When the teams met again in Kigali in 2019, Mali dominated with an 84–48 win, establishing their dominance in the rivalry.
In Cairo in 2021, Egypt had the support of thousands of home fans, and their players fed off the noise and hope in the stands. Yet, in the end, they too had to watch Mali lift another trophy.
The most recent clash in Monastir in 2023 showed just how close Egypt came. In a back-and-forth game, the Egyptians matched the West Africans play for play, forcing Mali into unfamiliar territory.
However, Mali emerged victorious, winning by a mere one point, 57–56. While it was heartbreaking for Egypt, it was historic for Mali: their eighth straight championship.
Nigeria and Angola also challenged the West African nation in 2015 and 2017, respectively, but neither could tip the scales. Both ended up overwhelmed.
MVP History
Mali has a long history of players who have made their mark on the tournament.
Their dominance has been embodied by stars who rose to the challenge on the biggest stage.
Farima Touré was the first, earning MVP honors in 2009. She was followed by Rokia Doumbia in 2015, Aissetou Coulibaly in 2017, Rokiatou Berthe in 2021, and most recently, Assitan Diarisso in 2023.
On three occasions, the spotlight shifted. Egypt’s Soraia Deghady was crowned in 2011, Mozambique’s Neidy Ocuane in 2013, and Angola’s Sara Caetano in 2019. Those individual triumphs, however, did not translate into team victories.
The 2025 edition: new faces, old rivalries
In September, eleven national teams will gather in Kigali, each bringing a blend of history, ambition, and newfound hope.
The usual heavyweights are present, including defending champions Mali; perennial challengers Egypt; 2023 bronze medalists Angola; and fourth-place finishers Tunisia. Hosts Rwanda will be eager to take advantage of home-field advantage.
Morocco will arrive for the second consecutive time, buoyed by their Zone 1 victory over Tunisia. Côte d'Ivoire will return after a twelve-year absence. Tanzania will also step back onto the stage for the first time since 2019, when they secured seventh place.
Kenya will compete in the U16 Women’s AfroBasket for the first time, so their performance is a storyline to follow during the coming fortnight. For them, it is uncharted territory: a chance to measure themselves against Africa’s elite and begin writing their own history in the competition. Mozambique and Cameroon provide added depth to a diverse and competitive field.
The road ahead
Kigali promises a stage filled with contrasts: There's Mali, seasoned and untouchable; Egypt, desperate to transform near misses into triumph; Kenya, making their debut and eager to prove themselves; and Côte d’Ivoire, back for more and hungry to reclaim lost ground.
What makes this year special is the sense that anything could happen. With two spots at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup on the line, the stakes are higher than just bragging rights.
For now, Mali remains the standard, the team against which all others are measured. Yet, the margin is closing. The question on everyone’s lips is: Could 2025 finally be the year someone else lifts the trophy?
Kigali will soon provide the answer.
FIBA