NBA Africa and KFC Africa have announced a marketing partnership that will see NBA Africa and KFC Africa collaborate on a number of promotions and activations for basketball fans across eight countries on the continent.

The countries are Botswana, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania.

Through the partnership, KFC Africa and NBA Africa will launch co-branded product campaigns, limited-edition merchandise giveaways, and limited-edition KFC x NBA promotions, including the opportunity for basketball fans to win tickets to live NBA games in the U.S. and complimentary access to NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service.

The parties highlighted in a statement that additional details about the promotions will be announced at a later date.

Commenting on the partnership, KFC Marketing Director for the Rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, Emmanuel Kasambala, said “We are proud to announce this exciting partnership between our iconic KFC brand and one of the most epic sports brands in the world”.

“As a brand that has been on the continent for 50 years, we are passionate about connecting with the youth at the touchpoints that really mean something to them. So, beyond the extremely cool products and merchandise we will offer, we have longer-term plans to inspire the youth to achieve more in life through basketball.

“We are exploring various grassroots basketball initiatives, like the refurbishment of courts, and basketball clinics in communities. It is about inspiring and enabling the youth to reach for, and achieve, their dreams”.
Emmanuel Kasambala,

On his part, NBA Africa CEO, Victor Williams, also said “We are excited to partner with KFC Africa to launch a series of fan-centric activities and promotions as part of our efforts to provide compelling ways for basketball fans across the continent to engage with the NBA”.

“We want to meet our fans where they are and make the game of basketball more accessible, and through this partnership with one of the world’s most iconic food brands, we look forward to reaching new and existing fans and providing them with more opportunities to experience the NBA.”
Victor Williams

Focus of KFC leadership team in Africa

One of the key areas of focus for the KFC leadership team in Africa in recent years has been a strategic digital journey that reinforces the company’s customer-centricity and its commitment to catering to their needs.

This transition has involved significant investment, especially in terms of integrating the platform into its point-of-sale, payment and inventory systems, and has quickly proved itself to be another area of business where KFC Africa finds itself leading the market.

Instore initiatives have included rolling out free wi-fi across its restaurants and digital menu boards, complete with engaging video content and menus that cater for the time of day.

A flexible e-commerce ecosystem is another smart innovation: customers can now order online, using either a web browser or a dedicated Android and iOS app, via their smartphone, tablet or computer. It has also partnered with Uber Eats and Mr D Food for delivery.

Globally, the KFC house rules are clearly defined in its values: be your best self, make a difference and have fun. It’s a promise that is alive and well on the African continent.