NBA star LeBron James touched down at Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda in the early hours of Saturday, September 12, 2026, marking his first visit to African soil. The trip coincides with the E1GP electric boat World Championship scheduled for Sunday, where a team backed by James is competing.
Tourism Minister Márcio Daniel hosted an executive breakfast at Restaurante SHOGUN that brought James together with senior Angolan business figures, including Agostinho Kapaia of GRUPO OPAIA, Nelson Carrinho of Carrinho Group, Diogo Caldas of Refriango and Isabel Espírito Santo of Banco Millennium Atlântico. James was accompanied by his longtime business partner Maverick Carter, chief of staff Randy Mims and Delidji Gbaguidi.
Later, the group visited the National Slavery Museum, housed in the former Chapel of the Slave Market built in 1783, led by Carlos Bumba of TAC Tour Angola. The museum sits above a mass grave of Africans who died before being sold into bondage, and traces the transatlantic slave route on its walls and maps.
At the museum, James met Angolan basketball player Bruno Fernando. He was also presented with a book titled Angola: The Encounter of the African Diaspora by historian Dr Afonso Vita, who joined Daniel for the photograph.
