Why I&M Bank Is Betting on the Future of Kenyan Basketball
A KES 10 million investment in Nairobi City Thunder signals growing confidence in Kenya’s basketball scene and the young talent driving its rise.
For years, football and athletics have dominated conversations around Kenyan sport.
However, a new generation of athletes is quietly changing the narrative. Across courts in Nairobi and beyond, basketball is attracting passionate fans, producing elite talent and creating opportunities that extend far beyond the game itself.
That growing momentum received another boost this week after I&M Bank announced a KES 10 million investment in Nairobi City Thunder, one of the country’s most successful basketball clubs.
The partnership positions the bank as the team’s Official Banking Partner for the remainder of the 2026 Kenya National Basketball League season while supporting the club’s broader ambitions of competing at the highest levels of African basketball.
More importantly, it highlights the increasing recognition that sport can be a powerful platform for youth development, entrepreneurship and community growth.
More Than a Basketball Team
When people watch a basketball game, they often focus on the players on the court.
Yet behind every successful team is an ecosystem of coaches, content creators, event organisers, media professionals, small businesses and young entrepreneurs whose livelihoods are connected to the sport.
Nairobi City Thunder understands this reality well.
The club has emerged as one of Kenya’s biggest basketball success stories in recent years. It became the first Kenyan team to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2024 and repeated the achievement in 2025. The team has also dominated the local scene, winning consecutive Kenya National Basketball Federation league titles without losing a single game.
For club founder and CEO Colin Rasmussen, partnerships like the one with I&M Bank represent much more than financial support.
“When people think about basketball, they see the players. What they don’t always see is the ecosystem around it — creators, businesses, event staff, media professionals and young entrepreneurs. Partnerships like this help grow that entire ecosystem,” he said.
His observation reflects the changing nature of sport today. Successful teams are no longer just athletic organisations. They are brands, employers, community builders and economic drivers.
Investing in Potential
Across Africa, investment in sport is increasingly being viewed as an investment in people.
Young athletes gain opportunities to develop their skills, while communities benefit from employment, entertainment and positive role models.
According to I&M Bank Regional CEO Kihara Maina, supporting Nairobi City Thunder aligns with the bank’s commitment to investing in homegrown excellence and youth empowerment.
“We are proud to stand with Nairobi City Thunder at a time when the club continues to raise the standard of basketball not just in Kenya, but also across the region. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting homegrown excellence, investing in youth and building meaningful connections with communities through sport,” he said.
The sponsorship will help support the team’s participation in local and continental competitions, including future Basketball Africa League campaigns.
For players, that support provides both practical resources and added motivation.
Nairobi City Thunder forward Tom “Bush” Wamukota believes the partnership sends a strong message about the growing recognition of basketball in Kenya.
“This partnership means a lot to us as players because it shows that our work is being recognized at the highest level. Having I&M Bank behind Nairobi City Thunder gives us extra motivation to compete hard, represent the badge well and make our supporters proud throughout the season,” he said.
A Bright Future for Kenyan Basketball
Basketball’s popularity continues to grow across Africa, driven by increased media coverage, international opportunities and a new generation of talented players.
Kenya is beginning to carve out its place within that story.
Teams such as Nairobi City Thunder are proving that local clubs can compete at continental level while inspiring young athletes to dream bigger.
As corporate support for the sport increases, more opportunities are likely to emerge for players, coaches and the wider basketball ecosystem.
The partnership between I&M Bank and Nairobi City Thunder may have been announced as a sponsorship deal. Yet it also reflects something bigger growing belief in the potential of Kenyan basketball and the young people helping to shape its future.
And if recent performances are anything to go by, that future looks increasingly bright.
