Africa

Why your next million players are in MEA and Turkey, and how to access them

Published

5 years ago

April 20, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Onur Ergüney – Director of Global Partnerships for Gaming & e-Sports, TPAY MOBILE

COVID 19 has been the catalyst for the biggest transformation to people’s lives in recent history. Little else has brought on such seismic shifts in the way people work, play, communicate and live, since the creation of smartphones themselves.

The fourth industrial revolution has arrived faster than anyone could have predicted, especially in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Turkey. This combined region has a population of over 1.6 billion people, a fast-expanding middle class, and, through the power of mobile technology, is more connected than ever.

A long-standing barrier for scaled-up mobile games distribution in the region – the lack of access to banking infrastructure for subscriptions and the purchasing of games and in-app-purchases (IAPs) – is falling fast. By 2025, 834 million people across MEA will be mobile internet users, and through direct carrier billing (DCB) technology and eMoney wallets, they will have the freedom to spend on gaming like never before.

Untapped opportunity

A relatively untapped marketplace of a billion+ potential players is powering up and set to flip your revenue forecasts upside down if you play your cards right. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for instance, the games industry is currently valued at $4.5 billion according to Frost & Sullivan. That may be just 4% of the global total, but, it is the world’s fastest-growing region, with a year-on-year growth rate of 25%. On a grander scale, MENA makes up 80% of this growth whilst the other 20% is amassed in Sub Saharan Africa. According to one prediction from GSMA, the region will count for 709 million individual SIM connections by 2025.

In other words, Mobile is everything across the MEA and Turkey, and this should be explored as your next frontier of growth. However, you need to know how to access it.

Access is key, and access is different

Accessing these new markets isn’t simply a case of re-branding what has worked in the past. Your games may well be attractive in these new markets but the systems and processes that power them, and importantly, monetise them, won’t be the same. There are different rules and regulations for advertising, for example, and variations on what purchases or transactions do and don’t constitute gambling. Direct debits for app stores or card payments for IAPs are not common practice in these territories. Across the 20+ countries that make up MEA and Turkey, there is a rich tapestry of cultural differences that result in different ways of purchasing digital goods like games.

Establish partnerships to access these players

To turn your players into payers, the best advice I can give is to establish strategic partnerships – find experts on the ground that can work with you. You are no longer just a games publisher, with your partner network you become a FinTech, a games publisher, a games developer and even an evangelist for a new world of mobile gaming. Ecosystems are everything.

The global language is APIs, not Esperanto

Each territory has its quirks and opportunities, and only by having knowledgeable inside help will you be able to truly navigate the differences in approaching sales and distributions of your titles. Understanding the common services in territories is key for traction, an example being that the Middle East has widely adopted DCB (Direct Carrier Billing) for mobile payments and subscriptions in recent years, whereas mobile wallets are the transaction tool of choice in Subsaharan Africa.

Games developers want simple integrations that cover the back-end systems. If you find the team that can provide that, they will keep up with evolving regulations in new territories, keeping your games online. This allows you to do what you do best: making high quality, desirable games.

Games publishers expect great user flows. What makes games more interesting than other e-commerce platforms is that they are live systems. The user makes purchase decisions in real-time, while remaining within the game. This is also what creates complexity when it comes to transactions, but there is an answer. The key is to integrate a seamless payment flow within the game, minimising player disruption.

Find an ecosystem that works across borders. One thing that is global is the API. If you want to successfully break into these emerging markets, you need to build a partnership network that understands the intricacies of these technologies.

Should you wait?

Simply put, no.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest-growing market of all for mobile-penetration, it would be an oversight to not properly explore the MEA and Turkey as a key element of future games monetisation for the future.

MEA and Turkey host a relatively untapped market for games publishing and eSports monetisation, not to mention a fast-growing pool of local influencers – now is the time to make inroads into the gaming sector in such markets. It has been said that the early bird catches the worm – this wisdom is just as true today.

The previously non-existent infrastructure required to sell and monetise mobile games has been replaced. Suddenly, the opportunity is there for the taking. Venture into these new territories, and the partnerships you form now will help grow your company and its market share exponentially, by creating opportunities to engage new gamers. Whilst boosting your business into the next 50 years, you have an opportunity to entertain many millions of people who are fast to become your next loyal, player base.

Africa

VeliGames Secures SiGMA Africa’s Industry Rising Star Award

Published

3 days ago

March 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

veligames-secures-sigma-africa’s-industry-rising-star-award

VeliGames, a game aggregation platform from VeliTech, has received the Industry Rising Star award at the SiGMA Africa 2026 Awards, highlighting the platform’s swift innovation and significant influence on African iGaming.

The Industry Rising Star award highlights a developing company that displays remarkable potential, creativity, and influence, rapidly positioning itself as a forthcoming leader in the iGaming sector. It emphasizes VeliGames’ dedication to providing not just a content pipeline, but also genuine innovation and a comprehensive growth engine for operators in developing markets.

“Winning the SiGMA Africa Award for Industry Rising Star 2026 is a proud moment for our team. From day one, we built VeliGames with African operators in mind, combining local-fit content, practical tooling, and pricing that makes sense on the ground. We back it all up with hands-on operational know-how from working in the region. That’s what being a true content partner looks like.” Irakli Kakhidze, CEO at VeliGames.

Tailored for Africa’s infrastructure challenges, device characteristics, and user habits, VeliGames provides a performance-oriented casino content layer aimed at thriving in areas where conventional, high-bandwidth aggregation methods struggle. Rather than solely competing based on catalogue size, VeliGames prioritizes the key factors that genuinely contribute to casino success in Africa: speed, accessibility, conversion, and session stability.

The platform delivers content in a highly efficient, mobile-centric setting designed to function dependably amid variable connectivity, restricted device storage, and brief gaming sessions, assisting operators in ensuring seamless gameplay and enhanced player experiences on a larger scale.

Alongside curated third-party titles, the platform includes exclusive in-house content:

VeliPlay: bold, crash-and-fast titles built for immersion, retention, and high replay value
Heaven of 7: high-impact slot content designed for strong engagement, session after session

Visit VeliTech at Stand 096 from March 3-5 to learn why VeliGames was honored as the Industry Rising Star. Discover live game demonstrations, witness performance features in action, and learn how operators can create unique iGaming brands with a platform designed for regional requirements.

The post VeliGames Secures SiGMA Africa’s Industry Rising Star Award appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

EGT showcases African growth strategy at SiGMA Africa 2026

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

egt-showcases-african-growth-strategy-at-sigma-africa-2026

EGT welcomes visitors to its booth 090 at SiGMA Africa 2026, scheduled for March 4-5 in Cape Town. The business will greet guests with an enticing range of products, featuring both popular high achievers and offerings tailored for the regional markets.

The Bulgarian manufacturer of gaming equipment will display its newest Supreme Series of slot cabinets, featuring the S 55 S ST and S 32-32 ST models. Fueled by Exciter IV, they will engage players in an enchanting gaming experience through their HD 4K screens, providing breathtaking visuals and fluid interaction. With striking design, exceptional performance, and cutting-edge features, these two models are sure to be among the new arrivals that will generate the most excitement.

The Supreme cabinets will feature Supreme Selection multigames: Jackpot Supreme Purple Selection, Supreme Buy Bonus Prize Selection, and Supreme Green Selection. The mixes will showcase a new combination of well-known titles from the company’s collection alongside innovative products with great promise.

In addition to the popular Bell Link, the successful jackpot Bell Link Boost will also be showcased, making its debut to local gaming audiences with the Bell Link Boost 2 mix. Featuring 8 intriguing titles across various themes along with the renowned 4-level jackpot, this multigame will turn each moment into an opportunity to win big.

Participants at the event will have the opportunity to sample the popular Big 5 Collection Lion blend, crafted specifically for the South African market. Located within the well-liked P 24-24 UP cabinet, the 12 titles of the multigame will offer players an exhilarating adventure, with the in-game spin wheel, referred to as the Thriller Game, enhancing the gaming experience even more.

The well-established G 50 C ST, G 27-27 ST and G 32-32 ST cabinets and the Gold General HD multigame will complement EGT’s slot selection for the exhibition.

EGT Digital will also demonstrate its portfolio of online gaming solutions, including the proprietary iGaming platform X-Nave, as well as a vast array of casino games.

Nadia Popova, Chief Revenue Officer and VP Sales & Marketing at EGT, said: “Africa continues to demonstrate strong growth potential and increasing sophistication across regulated markets. Our presence at SiGMA Africa reflects our commitment to the region and our focus on delivering solutions that combine performance, flexibility, and local relevance. We are dedicated to creating long-term value for our partners while strengthening our footprint across the continent.”

The post EGT showcases African growth strategy at SiGMA Africa 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

Gaming Realms Makes South African Debut in Partnership with Hollywoodbets

Published

1 week ago

February 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-realms-makes-south-african-debut-in-partnership-with-hollywoodbets

Gaming Realms, a top supplier of mobile-centric gaming content, has expanded its global presence following its entry into South Africa with prominent operator Hollywoodbets.

Gaming Realms’ varied collection of Slingo games is now accessible to local gamers, featuring titles created through the provider’s distinctive IP and brand collaborations, including Slingo Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania, Slingo Sweet Bonanza, and Slingo Xxxtreme.

Hollywoodbets ranks among South Africa’s biggest betting and gaming brands, featuring both physical and online operations, along with a loyal customer base. The collaboration with Gaming Realms was executed via Hollywoodbets’ regional aggregation partner Light & Wonder.

The collaboration signifies Gaming Realms’ initial venture into the African market, following other recent market entries that have greatly expanded the company’s global presence. The firm is currently operational in more than 30 regulated markets and intends to grow further in 2026, including in Africa.

Gareth Scott, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Realms, said: “Adding new regulated markets is imperative as we continue to cement our position as a leading supplier of unique and engaging content.

“Entering South Africa together with such a prominent partner as Hollywoodbets is a significant signal of intent and we have great ambitions to make the African region a key focus for Gaming Realms, as it offers great potential and an opportunity to reach completely new audiences.”

Wayde Dorkin, Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, said: “Gaming Realms is a provider that truly brings something unique, and we are excited to be the first operator to introduce Slingo and their wider game portfolio to players in South Africa.

“Their Slingo content appeals to a wide player demographic, blending the best from slots and strategy, and we have already seen it really resonate with our customers.”

The post Gaming Realms Makes South African Debut in Partnership with Hollywoodbets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.