Projects · 2026

Ongoing, recent, and upcoming work.

Sport, culture, diaspora engagement, youth development, and international competition across Ethiopia and abroad.

Ongoing · Responsible 21+ activation

The Blue Nile · London Dry Gin

Crafting its market arrival.

A 21+ brand introduction combining Ethiopian provenance with hospitality, campaign content, consumer insight, and distribution support.

Discuss a launch Explore our work

StrategyCreative directionResponsible activationDistribution

The Blue Nile London Dry Gin: patterned glass bottle with a wooden cap and blue and cream label, suspended in mid-air

Recent · 2026

Recent projects.

Recent programme dates and locations from the 2026 Back to Your Origin series.

Recent · Back to Your Origin · Community Festival

Puagume Festival 2026

A two-day festival programme combining basketball, culture, youth participation, family activities, and local vendors.

Date: September 8 & 10, 2026
Venue: African Union Headquarters
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Puagume Festival was scheduled as the opening programme in the 2026 partnership series at the African Union Headquarters. Its planned activities brought sport and culture together for young people, diaspora families, schools, local businesses, partners, and the wider public.

Basketball tournamentsMusicFoodLocal products & vendorsFashion showCultural exchange

ForYouth players, families, schools, diaspora communities, local vendors, institutions, and invited partners.

Recent · Back to Your Origin · 2026 Partnership Series

Meskel 2026

A youth basketball and cultural programme planned for the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum.

Date: September 26, 2026
Venue: Adwa Victory Memorial Museum
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Meskel edition was planned to connect youth basketball with heritage, community participation, and the Back to Your Origin programme, bringing schools, diaspora families, institutions, sponsors, and young athletes together around a shared Ethiopian experience.

Youth basketballDiaspora gatheringCultural connectionSchool participationPartner visibility

ForYoung athletes, parents, international schools, diaspora families, cultural partners, sponsors, and the public.

Recent · Back to Your Origin · 2026 Partnership Series

Irreecha 2026

A basketball and Oromo cultural programme planned for Cambridge Academy’s Summit campus.

Date: October 3, 2026
Venue: Cambridge Academy · Summit
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Irreecha edition was planned as the closing programme in the local three-event series, with basketball, youth participation, and an introduction to the meaning, people, and traditions surrounding Irreecha.

Boys & girls basketballIrreecha cultural programmeYouth mentorshipDiaspora participationCommunity gathering

ForYouth teams, parents, the Oromo community, diaspora visitors, schools, cultural organizations, and partners.

Upcoming · 2026

What’s next.

For registration and partnership enquiries, contact the relevant team below.

Upcoming · International Youth Basketball

World Squad Youth Cup · Dubai 2026

A five-day youth basketball event featuring teams from more than 18 countries.

Date: December 18–22, 2026
Venue: Jebel Ali International School
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Next Level Marketing + Communications is presenting the Ethiopian recruitment programme for the World Squad Youth Cup in collaboration with Ethio Ballers and event partner Cambridge Academy. The project gives Ethiopian schools, academies, teams, and players a structured route into international competition.

5 competition days18+ countriesBoys & girlsU14 · U16 · U194+ guaranteed gamesSemifinals & finalsFull-board options

ForPlayers, teams, schools, academies, coaches, parents, sponsors, and international basketball partners.

Ethiopia registration for teams, players, schools, and academies opens October 22 and closes October 30, 2026.

Registration & partnerships

Talk with the project team.

Contact the relevant team for player registration, school participation, sponsorship, vendor opportunities, media collaboration, or institutional partnership.

Teams, players, schools & academies

Ethio Ballers administration

+251 91 199 8000 +251 92 114 5252

Marketing, partnerships & enquiries

Next Level Marketing

+251 97 043 7830 +251 90 383 5464

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