New York, United States – 29 June 2026 – Visit Rwanda today announced a landmark partnership with Nate Ament, who becomes the destination’s first global basketball ambassador following his selection in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The partnership marks a new chapter in Rwanda’s growing connection with the global basketball community and will see Ament represent Visit Rwanda on the international stage while helping showcase the country’s tourism experiences, culture, heritage, sporting ecosystem, and opportunities to audiences around the world.

Born with Rwandan roots and proudly connected to his heritage, Ament has emerged as one of basketball’s brightest young talents. As he begins his NBA journey, he joins Visit Rwanda at a defining moment in his career, bringing with him a story of ambition, perseverance, and global potential that resonates with young people both in Rwanda and beyond.

The partnership builds on Visit Rwanda’s long-standing investment in sport as a platform for connecting Rwanda with global audiences. Through sponsorships with leading international sports organisations and teams, including Atlético de Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, the LA Clippers, the LA Rams, and the Basketball Africa League (BAL), a subsidiary of the NBA that Rwanda has proudly hosted since its inaugural championship in 2021, Rwanda has continued to showcase the country as a destination for tourism, investment, culture, and talent.

As Visit Rwanda’s first individual global ambassador, Ament brings a uniquely personal dimension to this global platform. His journey to the NBA, connection to Rwanda, and commitment to inspiring future generations will support Rwanda’s engagement with basketball fans around the world while encouraging young people to pursue their ambitions on the global stage.

As an Official Global Ambassador for Visit Rwanda, Ament will participate in tourism campaigns, community initiatives, international promotional events, and content creation designed to introduce global audiences to Rwanda. He will also engage with young basketball players in Rwanda through clinics, mentorship opportunities, youth development programmes, and community outreach activities aimed at supporting the continued growth of basketball talent across the country.

Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, said:

“For several years, Visit Rwanda has partnered with some of the world’s most recognised sports organisations to showcase Rwanda globally. Nate represents an exciting evolution of that journey. As our first individual global ambassador, he brings a personal story that reflects the values driving Rwanda’s transformation: ambition, discipline, resilience, and the belief that talent, when nurtured, can compete on any stage. His rise to the NBA demonstrates what is possible when potential meets opportunity, and we hope his journey will inspire young Rwandans to pursue excellence not only in sport, but also in business, technology, the creative industries, and other sectors shaping our country’s future.

Beyond promoting Rwanda to global audiences, this partnership will create opportunities for Nate to engage directly with young people through basketball development and community initiatives. By sharing his experiences and connecting with emerging talent, he will help encourage the next generation to dream bigger, realise their potential, and contribute to Rwanda’s continued growth and development.”

Speaking about the partnership, Ament said:

“Representing Rwanda is something that means a lot to me. Rwanda is part of who I am, and I’m proud to share that connection with the world as I begin my NBA journey. Through this partnership, I hope to inspire young people to believe that their dreams are possible no matter where they come from, while helping showcase the beauty of Rwanda, its people, its culture, and everything that makes the country special.

One of the things I’m most excited about is spending time with young players in Rwanda and giving back to the basketball community. I’ve benefited from people who invested in my development, and I want to do the same for the next generation. Whether through clinics, mentorship, community programmes, or simply sharing my experiences, I hope to encourage young athletes to keep working toward their goals and help shine a light on the incredible talent that exists in Rwanda.”

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About Visit Rwanda

Visit Rwanda is Rwanda’s national brand, managed by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Through strategic partnerships, destination marketing, and global storytelling, Visit Rwanda showcases Rwanda’s tourism experiences, investment opportunities, cultural heritage, sporting ecosystem, and conservation successes to audiences around the world.

By working closely with public and private sector partners, Visit Rwanda contributes to sustainable economic growth while supporting community development, conservation efforts, and opportunities that benefit both visitors and Rwandans alike.

For more information on Visit Rwanda, visit our website, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, and YouTube.

About Nate Ament

Nate Ament is a professional basketball player and one of the most promising young talents of his generation. Following his selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, Ament became one of the few players of Rwandan heritage to reach the NBA. Proud of his Rwandan roots, he is committed to using his platform to inspire young people, support the development of basketball, and create opportunities for the next generation both in Rwanda and around the world.

Media Contacts:

• For Visit Rwanda, contact Paul Ntambara, Ag. Head of Communications, Rwanda Development Board, at communications@rdb.rw 
• For Nate Ament, contact Nicole Beatty Brown, Vice President, Head of Talent Strategy, LIFT Management at nicole@liftsm.com