betPawa has taken another bold step in redefining how African athletes are rewarded and recognised, launching its flagship Locker Room Bonus (LRB) initiative in Cameroon, the brand’s first rollout in a Francophone market.

This milestone isn’t just symbolic; it’s deeply intentional. At its core, betPawa’s vision is rooted in empowering athletes, building sustainable systems of support, and ensuring the benefits of sports partnerships flow directly into the communities that make the game possible.

Celebrating Performance, Not Just Presence

To mark the launch, a spirited exhibition match kicked off the festivities, with Team FECABASKET edging out Team betPawa 32–28. But the real win was off the court, where a new promise was made to players across the country: your performance matters, and now it pays.

Under the Locker Room Bonus, players and technical staff will receive CFA 15,000 per win, sent directly to their mobile money accounts. This applies to 14 players and 4 staff members per team.

This isn’t a one-off gesture, it’s a sustained commitment that spans both men’s and women’s leagues equally. By extending the same level of financial support to female athletes, betPawa and FECABASKET are not just promoting inclusion, but practising it.

Equity on and off the court

For Mr. Samuel Nduku, President of FECABASKET, this partnership signals something far greater than a sponsorship.

“This partnership with betPawa marks a new era for Cameroonian basketball. The Locker Room Bonus empowers our athletes and technical staff by recognizing their hard work with tangible rewards. By ensuring equal support for men and women, we are breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation of players. This initiative is a game changer for grassroots development and national pride.”

And it doesn’t end with the regular season. An additional CFA 3,000,000 has been set aside for end-of-season awards to honour standout players and teams.

Local investment, lasting impact

For betPawa, this initiative goes beyond transactions. It’s about building trust, creating systems that honour the athlete’s journey, and making every match matter.

“betPawa is committed to driving sustainable growth in African sports,” said Anne Irene Tchoumba, Regional Manager for CSR & Sports Development in Central Africa. “Through the Locker Room Bonus, we are not only rewarding performance but also investing in the future of Cameroonian basketball. Mobile Money ensures efficiency and transparency, allowing beneficiaries to focus on what matters most: excellence on the court.”

Building from the ground up

As Cameroon becomes the first Francophone country to adopt this model, the hope is clear: that this sets a precedent for how sports development should look, with athletes at the centre, trust as the foundation, and impact as the measure.