The expansion will see the NFL host a talent identification camp and NFL Flag football showcase in Nairobi, Kenya from April 10-15, underlining a long-term, multi-market commitment to serve a growing fan base in Africa.
“Growing the NFL globally is a major strategic priority for the league, and developing our footprint and fandom in Africa is an important part of this vision,” said Brett Gosper, Head of NFL Europe and Africa. “We are excited to expand NFL Africa into Kenya and look forward to creating opportunities for the next generation of African players and fans there to engage with our sport. From NFL FLAG inspiring young people to play the game around the world, to building pathways for more international athletes to play in the NFL, there is a place in our sport for everyone.”
With more than 125 players of African descent from 15 countries across the continent currently playing in the NFL, a talent identification camp for promising young athletes will take place this month in Kenya.
There will be 29 prospects aged 16-21 from African nations including, Cameroon, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and Senegal that will take part in a 3-day NFL Combine-style camp to showcase their skills.
Participants will be competing for invites to the NFL International Combine, NFL International Player Pathway Program, or the opportunity to join the NFL Academy in the UK as part of league efforts to advance pathways for international athletes to play in the NFL.
Players were invited to attend the NFL event, spearheaded by Osi Umenyiora, a two-time Super Bowl champion who was born in the UK to Nigerian parents, after taking part in Umenyiora’s ‘The Uprise’ initiative, which held scouting events for more than 200 athletes across six countries in recent months.
“It has always been a dream of mine to bring the NFL to Africa, and over the past couple of years The Uprise and NFL have made that dream a reality,” said Umenyiora, NFL’s lead ambassador for NFL Africa. “It’s been incredible to see the opportunities it has provided through the International Player Pathway Program, the NFL Academy and NFL FLAG, and this is only the beginning.”
Several current NFL players will join the activities in Kenya including Brian Asamoah, Minnesota Vikings (Ghana), Arnold Ebiketie, Atlanta Falcons (Cameroon), Paulson Adebo, New Orleans Saints (Benin), Ikem Ekwonu, Carolina Panthers (Nigeria) and Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami Dolphins (Nigeria).
An NFL FLAG football showcase is also planned, introducing the game to young people from 10 schools across Nairobi. Alongside the showcase, the NFL will host training clinics for local teachers and the Kenyan Federation of American Football to help develop coaching skills to deliver NFL FLAG football and expand participation across the country.
“We are delighted to be partnering with the NFL to showcase and deliver a flag football program for young people in Kenya,” said George Alwanga, President of the Kenyan Federation of America Football (KFAF). “This partnership will have a positive impact on the future growth of flag football in the country, encouraging more schools and communities to embrace and enjoy the sport, and aligns with KFAF’s objectives to develop the sport across the country and provide an opportunity for young Kenyans to learn and play the game.”
The expansion follows a successful delivery of programs in Ghana in 2022, including talent identification camps, NFL FLAG football clinics and fan events held across the year.
The NFL’s ongoing football development efforts in Ghana saw a youth NFL Flag football team represent the nation in the NFL International Flag Football Championships at the 2023 Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas. The team made it to the semi-finals of the 10-team competition.
