About Usawa
Our Organization
Usawa League is a nonprofit organization empowering women and youth across Africa through sports. Usawa, meaning “equity” in Swahili, reflects our mission to create equal opportunities for athletes, regardless of their background. By offering resources, mentorship, and skill development, we help athletes thrive both on and off the field. Open to all African countries, Usawa League is building a future where every athlete has the chance to succeed.
Our Mission
Usawa League is committed to transforming the sports landscape for women and youth across Africa. By providing essential resources, professional development, and a powerful support network, we empower athletes to succeed both on and off the field. Our platform fosters skill-building, career growth, and mental well-being, enabling the next generation of leaders to emerge from the sports world
Our founder
Mame Fatou Konaré is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, gender equity, and the transformative power of sport. A civic leader, social entrepreneur, and experienced project strategist, she has worked across Africa and internationally with organizations such as the Basketball Africa League, SEED Project, and the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
She founded USAWA League to create a platform where young women and youth in Africa can grow not only as athletes, but as leaders, professionals, and responsible citizens—on and off the court.
USAWA League uses sport as both a tool and a gateway: to break down social and structural barriers, to build skills and confidence, and to open doors to education, careers, and opportunities beyond the game. While aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, her work goes further—centering the lived experiences of young people and equipping them to define their future with purpose, equity, and excellence.
