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.

40 Sparkling Crown

TaDa Gaming Enters South Africa via Strategic Betway Partnership

Published

4 days ago

March 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

tada-gaming-enters-south-africa-via-strategic-betway-partnership

TaDa Gaming marks its entry into the South African iGaming market through a landmark partnership with Betway, bringing premium casino content to local players.

With slots tailored for the SA market, Betway players will have immediate access to releases including Crazy 777, Coin Tree, 40 Sparkling Crown, Devil Fire 2 and Rapid Gems 777 as well as the Fortune Gems series. Distribution is through Light & Wonder Inc.

TaDa is renowned for attracting new and younger demographics with its immersive content. As winner of the SiGMA Africa Slot Newcomer of the Year, 2025, all games are expertly localised and mobile first for lightweight deployment and swift loading times, a critical factor for success.

Taking a glocalised approach has enabled TaDa to build a transnational brand across the continent for delivering scalable, regulated business success in emerging and high growth countries.

This experience gained from operating in over 15 countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania makes TaDa a valuable partner in South Africa, a key destination for the ambitious content provider.

Ray Lee, Director of Business Development at TaDa Gaming, said: “Building our brand for immersive and tailored gaming in South Africa has been enhanced through securing collaborations with key operators like Betway. We are delighted to be working together to deliver new and exciting experiences for players across the SA market.”

The post TaDa Gaming Enters South Africa via Strategic Betway Partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

TaDa Gaming Officially Enters the Regulated South African Market

Published

5 days ago

March 23, 2026

Wladimir P.

tada-gaming-officially-enters-the-regulated-south-african-market

TaDa Gaming has reinforced its presence and brand in African iGaming through its latest entry to the regulated South African market.

SA is currently considered the most mature market in Africa with strong internet penetration, high smartphone usage and higher disposable income per capita.

With potential regulation change under debate, new laws would enable a regulated market model to be in place within the next few years. Reputable industry sources have projected approximately €3.9 billion ($4.2 billion or around R80 billion) in annual gambling revenue by 2030, making it a significant growth market.

TaDa began its African journey in 2024 with betPawa, the largest gaming platform on the continent. This gave TaDa access to over 15 countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania.

Furthermore, TaDa honed its knowledge of individual African countries’ regulations, cultural mores and player behaviours alongside a dedicated programme to reduce size and loading times for mobile first games in line with local infrastructure limitations and player device types but with no adverse effect on quality or entertainment value.

Enhanced by its roster of international gaming licences, TaDa is known for its expert “glocalisation” or global core mechanics/local content strategic approach to new markets. With a significant Crash portfolio and award-winning gamification tools, TaDa has quickly built a name for innovative and immersive gaming experiences among African players.

In 2025, SiGMA Africa voted TaDa as Best Slot Newcomer through games such as the renowned Fortune Gems series; Crazy 777, Coin Tree and global hit Devil Fire 2. Subsequent hit releases certified for SA also include 40 Sparkling Crown and Rapid Gems 777.

Armed with this know-how and brand awareness, TaDa is a valuable partner and the regulated South African market has responded positively. With leading operator and platform collaborations and partnerships in place, TaDa has begun to build its brand for immersive gaming across SA.

As the largest and most established iGaming ecosystem on the continent, SA continues to be a key destination for TaDa across 2026 and beyond. In anticipation that South Africa will follow the UK and Ontario’s lead in regulations in the long-term, providers like TaDa who hold both UKGC and AGCO licences are expected to be in demand with operators and players alike.

Ray Lee, Director of Business Development at TaDa Gaming, said: “Having polished our skills and know-how across multiple emerging African markets over the last year, we are confident that our localised and certified content will quickly resonate with players in South Africa. Launching with market leaders enhances our credibility for delivering visibly fair and high quality gaming experiences while our regulated approach will stand us in good stead for the future.”

The post TaDa Gaming Officially Enters the Regulated South African Market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

BetConstruct AI Fuels Global Innovation Strategy Across Latin America, Asia and Africa

Published

1 week ago

March 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

betconstruct-ai-fuels-global-innovation-strategy-across-latin-america,-asia-and-africa

BetConstruct AI is excited to reveal its significant involvement in several top industry events this March: SAGSE LatAm in Buenos Aires, Argentina, GAT Expo in Cartagena, Colombia, SPiCE South Asia in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the Africa Gaming Expo in Lagos, Nigeria. As a worldwide leader in iGaming technology, BetConstruct AI is leveraging these platforms to strengthen its dedication to local development and support operators with the 2026 idea of “The Choice.”

Throughout all three continents, our focus is on a vision of technological empowerment. In a more complex regulatory environment, BetConstruct AI surpasses conventional offerings to provide strategic independence. We think the future of international iGaming relies on the operator’s ability to select the most adaptable, insightful, and scalable technology to propel their distinct vision ahead.

During every event, attendees will discover a complete range of solutions designed to cater to the varied needs of local communities. At the core of our presentation are the top-tier Sportsbook and Casino Platforms, designed for optimal stability and fast scalability.

In addition to the primary platforms, we deliver the fundamental framework for a leading online brand. This encompasses CMS Pro for centralized hub administration, SpringBuilder X for mobile-oriented website development, and BetChain AI, which offers an innovative approach to create and design iGaming websites more quickly and intelligently.

The exhibitions will highlight the BetConstruct AI Suite, a set of advanced tools aimed at enhancing and streamlining the operator’s experience:

● CRM AI: Delivering deep behavioral insights to drive player retention.
● Umbrella AI: Providing real-time risk management and automated player protection.
● AI Game Recommendation System: Ensuring personalized content delivery.
● Betting Mate: An intuitive AI companion that elevates the player experience.

Reiterating its commitment to partner success, BetConstruct AI will present The Last Battle Universe, the first B2B loyalty system in the industry designed to recognize performance. Operators reaching a GGR growth rate exceeding 12% (determined by comparing the third month of the current quarter to the third month of the prior quarter) gain access to unique rewards. This comprises a 51% reduction on invoices for Nebula Badge holders, a 50% setup discount for Zenith Badge holders, and complete setup fee refunds to enable direct reinvestment into the platform.

BetConstruct AI encourages all industry stakeholders, operators, and media personnel to engage with our team of specialists at these locations:

● SAGSE LatAm (Buenos Aires, Argentina): March 18 – 19 | Stand 134
● SPiCE South Asia (Colombo, Sri Lanka): March 24 – 25 | Stand 1017
● GAT Expo (Cartagena, Colombia): March 25 – 26 | Stand A31
● Africa Gaming Expo (Lagos, Nigeria): March 25 – 26 | Stand E17

To foster deeper connections beyond the exhibition floor, we are hosting a series of exclusive Harmony Dinners. These invitation-only meetups offer a unique space for BetConstruct AI leaders and our valued partners to align visions in an atmosphere of world-class hospitality:

1. Buenos Aires: March 18 | Hilton Buenos Aires
2. Colombo: March 24 | Shangri-La, Colombo
3. Cartagena: March 25 | Cartagena, Colombia
4. Lagos: March 25 | Lagos, Nigeria

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