LeBron James Makes Historic First Visit to Africa, Meets Angolan President in Luanda
LUANDA, Angola — September 14, 2026 — NBA superstar LeBron James arrived in Angola this weekend for his first visit to the African continent, combining support for his electric powerboat team with official meetings, business engagements, and a deeply personal encounter with the country’s history.
The four-time NBA champion and current Philadelphia 76ers player landed in Luanda around September 11–12 at the invitation of Angola’s Ministry of Tourism. His primary purpose was to back Team AlUla, the E1 electric racing team he owns, during the fifth round of the UIM E1 World Championship held in Luanda Bay. The event marked a high-profile moment for Angola as it hosted a major international sporting competition featuring celebrity owners including James, Will Smith, Tom Brady, and others.
On Sunday, President João Lourenço received James and actor Will Smith, owner of rival team Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola, at the presidential palace. The meeting focused on tourism, cinema, and basketball. Lourenço presented each guest with a prototype jersey of Angola’s national basketball team, personalized with their names. Angola, a 12-time African basketball champion, used the occasion to highlight the sport’s strong tradition on the continent. Neither James nor Smith spoke to the press after the audience.
The visit carried particular resonance because of Angola’s central role in the transatlantic slave trade. On his first day in the country, James toured the National Museum of Slavery in Luanda, a former slave-trading site on Morro da Cruz. He described the experience as meaningful and emotionally significant. “There’s a lot of history here,” James said. “A lot of history that is not only here in the country, but also travels across to America.” He praised Angolan hospitality, calling the trip “already a meaningful one.”
James also met leading Angolan business figures at a closed executive breakfast hosted by Tourism Minister Márcio Daniel. Participants included executives from major local companies such as Grupo OPAIA, Grupo Carrinho, and Refriango. The gathering underscored Angola’s strategy of using high-profile events to promote tourism and diversify its economy beyond oil.
On the water, results were mixed for the visiting stars. Tom Brady’s Team Brady won the inaugural Luanda Grand Prix and extended its lead in the championship standings. James’ Team AlUla finished seventh. Smith’s team suffered a technical problem, borrowed a boat from Team AlUla, but missed the finals and placed ninth. The all-electric RaceBird boats represent the series’ focus on sustainable marine technology.
James also found time to engage with local youth, joining a basketball session where he shot, dunked, and posed for photos. When asked by a young player why he chose the 76ers this offseason, he replied that he loved the city and the team.
The trip comes as African nations increasingly position themselves as hosts for global sports and entertainment events. For Angola, the E1 round delivered international visibility and associated the country with innovation and sustainability. For James, it represented a long-awaited first step onto African soil after more than two decades as one of the world’s most recognizable athletes.
James is expected to return to the United States shortly to prepare for the upcoming NBA season with the 76ers. His brief but high-profile stay in Luanda has already been described by local observers as a landmark moment connecting African history, contemporary sports, and the global African diaspora.
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