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

Jogabets migrates to VeliTech iGaming platform for Mozambique operations

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

jogabets-migrates-to-velitech-igaming-platform-for-mozambique-operations

Jogabets, a licensed online betting operator in Mozambique, has migrated its operations to VeliTech’s iGaming core platform, the B2B supplier said.

VeliTech said the rollout is part of Jogabets’ growth strategy and is intended to strengthen its digital operations. Darren Calvia, Chief Product Officer at VeliTech, said Jogabets will use “the integrated VeliTech product suite, including the iGaming core system with built-in CRM, sportsbook platform, game aggregation capabilities, and exclusive crash and instant games.”

Calvia added: “Launching a brand like Jogabets isn’t just about going live — it’s about getting the fundamentals right from day one. The early performance and positive feedback from the Jogabets team confirm that when product, technology, and delivery are fully aligned, even complex migrations feel seamless. With the VeliTech platform at its core and a tailored mix of content and tools, the client is now well-positioned to deliver a high-performing player experience and rapid growth.”

Vasco Jafar, Marketing Manager at Jogabets, said the supplier supported local requirements: “We were particularly impressed by the VeliTech adeptness in navigating our intricate local compliance and payment provider requirements, given our specific operations in Africa. We have witnessed their exceptional professionalism and problem-solving capabilities firsthand.”

Mariam Mchedlishvili, Implementation Manager at VeliTech, said the launch is already showing early traction: “The successful launch of Jogabets in Mozambique is already delivering strong early results, with stable performance from day one and positive player engagement trends that confirm we’ve built the right foundation for growth. When an operator comes out of a launch confident and ready to scale, you know the work behind the scenes was done right. That’s what we aim for every time.”

The post Jogabets migrates to VeliTech iGaming platform for Mozambique operations appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

Springbok Casino Presents “Wild Galaxy Month” with 25 Free Spins on Prosperity Pots

Published

5 days ago

May 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

springbok-casino-presents-“wild-galaxy-month”-with-25-free-spins-on-prosperity-pots

This May, SpringbokCasino.co.za celebrates Star Wars Day with Wild Galaxy Month, a cosmic new feature reimagining the savanna’s creatures as space-faring legends. May the 4th be with you and your 25 Free Spins on Prosperity Pots slot, available all month.

In Wild Galaxy Month, Springbok Casino compares five famous character types from the classic space-opera world to South African animals that carry the same energy in the bush. From bold young lions to wise old tortoises, each one brings its own style to survival—and the same is true for smart slot play. Knowing when to take a risk like a lion, when to wait like a leopard, or when to play the long game like a tortoise can make all the difference between a quick spin and a legendary win!

Lucky Skywalker and the young lion Yedi – Destiny favours the brave, but instinct separates the hero from the herd.

Dark Spots the leopard and the power of the hunt – True power is silent, focused, and impossible to read until it strikes.

Han So-low the meerkat and the art of looking confident – Confidence is half the battle—the other half is knowing when to duck.

Princess Lay-a the springbok and grace under pressure – Elegance under fire is a weapon sharper than any blaster.

Yodust the tortoise and the wisdom of slow power – Patience wins the longest war. The strongest moves are the slowest.

“Out here in the wild, legends don’t begin with dramatic music and perfect timing. They begin with instinct, chaos, close calls, and a little bit of luck. This May, we’re giving our players all four—plus 25 free spins on Prosperity Pots. May the wild be with you,” said Daniel Van Wyke, Casino Manager at SpringbokCasino.

Prosperity Pots: Lucky Coins from RTG transports players to a vibrant, golden-hued world of oriental charm, featuring 25 paylines, Wilds, Scatters and a random Lucky Coin Feature that unlocks multipliers or instant cash prizes.

The post Springbok Casino Presents “Wild Galaxy Month” with 25 Free Spins on Prosperity Pots appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

BetConstruct AI to present World Cup 2026 sportsbook offer at iGaming Afrika

Published

1 week ago

April 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

betconstruct-ai-to-present-world-cup-2026-sportsbook-offer-at-igaming-afrika

Supplier takes Stand A05 in Nairobi on May 4–5, pitching pre-built tournament betting tools and discounted onboarding for new partners.

BetConstruct AI said it will exhibit at iGaming Afrika on May 4–5 in Nairobi, Kenya, at Stand A05.

The company said its main focus at the event will be a “Best Sportsbook for the World Cup 2026” package, supported by “Special Bets, Powerfull and Bet on League.” BetConstruct AI said the tools are designed to help operators run World Cup activations “with zero additional development required.”

For the World Cup activation, the supplier is also advertising commercial incentives for new partners. BetConstruct AI said new partners receive a 65% platform setup discount “applied immediately,” plus “100% Core Suite Access” for the first three months, followed by “65% off for 4-12 months.” It added that third-party tools are “51% off for 3 months.”

Beyond the tournament pitch, BetConstruct AI said it will present its wider iGaming ecosystem, including Sportsbook Platform, Casino Platform, Affiliate Ecosystem, Retail Solutions, and its AI suite. The company said its Sportsbook Platform provides “over 140,000 pre-match events and 12,000+ monthly esports live events,” and that its Casino Platform integrates “350+ providers via a unified aggregation API.”

BetConstruct AI said its AI suite includes CRM AI, Umbrella AI, AI Game Recommendation System, and Betting Mate AI, covering functions such as churn prediction, risk management, real-time personalisation, and conversational betting. It also said its Retail Solutions show how operators can connect land-based and digital channels for an omnichannel setup.

More relevant data as follows:

BetConstruct (official website); https://www.betconstruct.com/ Company reference page for product portfolio and event announcements.
iGaming Afrika (event information); https://igamingafrika.com/ Confirms dates, location, and exhibitor details for the conference.
FIFA World Cup 2026 (official site); https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026 Authoritative background on the tournament referenced in the supplier’s activation pitch.

The post BetConstruct AI to present World Cup 2026 sportsbook offer at iGaming Afrika appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.