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

Logifuture-powered Bet9ja releases Moses Itauma mini-series ahead of Jermaine Franklin fight

Published

2 weeks ago

December 1, 2025

Zoltan Tundik

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Logifuture-powered Bet9ja releases Moses Itauma mini-series ahead of Jermaine Franklin fight

Nigeria’s leading sportsbook to provide fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes access
Logifuture-powered Bet9ja announced sponsorship deal with Itauma in August
Bet9ja social media followers grew by more than 10% to 3.1m since Itauma partnership
Unbeaten Itauma due to fight Franklin in Manchester in January

Bet9ja, Nigeria’s leading sportsbook, powered by Logifuture, has launched a series of videos, giving boxing fans exclusive access to brand ambassador Moses Itauma as he prepares for his next fight.

Itauma, an unbeaten British Heavyweight of Nigerian descent, became an ambassador for Logifuture-powered Bet9ja in August this year.

Since then, Bet9ja has been given unprecedented access to Itauma’s camp, including his preparation for his victory over Dillian White, which took his professional record to 13 wins, with 11 by knockout.

Bet9ja x Moses Itauma: The Homecoming is being released in four parts, with the first available on Bet9ja’s YouTube channel today.

Watch: Moses Itauma Homecoming Episode 1 will premiere on YouTube at 10am GMT on Monday, December 1: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Y9Lx9MLlnnA

The series features footage from Itauma’s visit to Lagos, Nigeria in October – a trip supported by Logifuture and Bet9ja.

Arriving on a Bet9ja-branded private jet, Itauma was greeted by fans at Lagos airport, before attending the Bet9ja sponsored Chaos In The Ring boxing event in the city.

The following day saw Itauma join a sparring session with promising boxers at a local boxing gym before attending a Bet9ja retail outlet and hosting a party with notable guests from Nigerian music, arts and politics.

The number of followers across Bet9ja’s social channels have grown more than 10% since the partnership with Itauma was officially announced and now stands at more than 3.1 million.

Itauma is now back in camp preparing to face American opponent Jermain Franklin in Manchester on January 24.

Itauma said: “It was an immensely proud moment to return to the place of my father’s birth and the reception I received from everyone in Lagos was truly humbling.

“I am extremely proud of my heritage and I cannot say enough thanks to everyone for such a warm welcome and messages of support that I will take with me into my next fight in January.”

Bet9ja is powered by Logifuture, a leading provider of iGaming products and services, including Simulate, Zoom Soccer and Swipe Games.

Logifuture CMO Ben Cove said: “We are thrilled to be able to give fans unprecedented access to Moses through the Bet9ja x Moses Itauma: The Homecoming series and contribute to the excitement as he prepares for his next challenge against Jermaine Franklin.

“When we partnered with Moses, we knew we were backing an extraordinary talent destined to make his mark on world boxing. But beyond his ability in the ring, his connection to Nigeria and his pride in that heritage make him a perfect fit for Bet9ja.

“Moses embodies the energy, resilience and ambition that define Nigerian sport and culture. Seeing him return to Lagos and receive such a heartfelt welcome from fans shows exactly why this partnership matters – to him, to Bet9ja and to the millions who follow his journey.

“We’re proud to stand beside Moses as he continues to inspire and build his legacy, both in the ring and across the wider sporting community.”

The post Logifuture-powered Bet9ja releases Moses Itauma mini-series ahead of Jermaine Franklin fight appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Africa

GinjaBet goes live with QTech Games casino content in Nigeria

Published

4 weeks ago

November 14, 2025

George Miller

ginjabet-goes-live-with-qtech-games-casino-content-in-nigeria

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Nigerian operator unveils fresh suite of games via new integration with leading emerging-markets aggregator

GinjaBet, a rapidly growing Nigerian operator, is now firmly established with an extensive portfolio of casino content delivered through its integration with QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for emerging markets across Africa.

GinjaBet is a rising-star challenger brand with big plans for the Nigeria market and beyond. As this market coalesces, customers are increasingly demanding experiences that are not only functional but also convenient to use, and personalised to their preferred betting patterns. In this regard, QTech Games and GinjaBet have aligned their complementary skills to deliver a simplified betting experience and optimised user journey across casino, thanks to an adaptable range of content that is both locally authentic and appealing to the next generation of players.

This collaboration will also explore new cross-sell opportunities between sportsbook and casino, with next summer’s football World Cup on the horizon, always a key acquisition and retention driver for global sportsbooks, but above all in Africa where soccer is king.

GinjaBet’s UI has been optimised for mobile-first play, a cornerstone of QTech’s RNG model, which is founded on its fully-owned and customised technical platform, affording operators the fastest integration available, backed by reliable performance and customer support, localised for every region across Africa. By leveraging QTech’s wider global expertise, GinjaBet enjoyed a seamless casino launch, and is now well-positioned to sustain its rapid growth in the near future with a casino product that rides on a scalable and robust framework. This project has also been carefully curated to responsibly track Nigerian player proclivities.

Ekaterina Mayorova, QTech Games’ Head of Region for Africa, said: “We’re thrilled to already be live in Nigeria with GinjaBet, a dynamic brand that is picking up some irresistible momentum in a competitive marketplace. We’re proud to put our shoulder to the wheel of their ambitions, affording GinjaBet the ability to scale their casino content with more localised games and product developments.

“QTech Games has placed a premium on understanding markets at a hyper-local level, alongside bridging that gap between retail and online channels, to open a flexible gateway to success in the Nigerian betting environment. With its mobile-first penetration, comparatively mature smartphone adoption rates and ramping digital economy, Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest economies, and GinjaBet’s recent growth only underscores the opportunity.

“And we have a suite of other product improvements designed to keep our partners ahead of their rivals in a region where no leadership position can be taken for granted. In addition, our proprietary tech means we’re the only aggregator which is not just showcasing fantastic games but also adding engaging features (such as our AI-driven recommendation engine, QTech Play, alongside other tournament and progressive-jackpot elements) to bolster QTech’s vantage point across the African landscape. We’re constantly adding new content to the platform, prioritising suppliers that deliver unique and localised content, including games which solve familiar local challenges to engagement, such as handset quality limitations, restricted access to fast networks, or high data costs.”

Joe Richa, Ginjabet CEO, added: “GinjaBet is committed to a conscious strategy of harnessing world-class technology and local Nigerian culture. This partnership with QTech is an organic extension of that approach across our stunning new casino suite which showcases globally recognised games, ably supported by specialised content, culturally pertinent promotions, and a tone of voice pitched to connect with younger Nigerian demographics.

“We’re a fast-moving Nigerian brand, focused on delivering specialised, reliable, and entertaining gaming experiences tailored to African markets, driving innovation through responsible gaming and operational efficiency. Our dynamic growth since launch in 2025 has already been hugely encouraging, but QTech’s flexible platform ecosystem has now put us in a position where we can plan for the future with confidence across casino and sportsbook, particularly with the World Cup upcoming fast.”

The post GinjaBet goes live with QTech Games casino content in Nigeria appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Africa

Booming Games and SportPesa forge strategic partnership to elevate the African gaming market

Published

1 month ago

November 11, 2025

George Miller

booming-games-and-sportpesa-forge-strategic-partnership-to-elevate-the-african-gaming-market

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Booming Games is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in its growth journey through a strategic partnership with the leading African operator, SportPesa. This collaboration marks a pivotal step forward in Booming Games’ mission to expand its footprint in the African gaming market.

As a result of this partnership, Booming Games’ high-quality slots are now seamlessly integrated into SportPesa’s platform, enabling players across Africa to access an array of top-performing titles.

Notable games include fan favourites such as ‘Burning Classic’, ‘Gold Gold Gold’, ‘TNT Bonanza’, and ‘Cash Pig’. Additionally, SportPesa’s players will now have access to Booming Games’ diverse portfolio, featuring exciting games like ‘Ronaldinho Spins’, ‘Power of the Vikings’ and ‘Buffalo Hold and Win’.

This collaboration underscores SportPesa’s commitment to growth and innovation, as well as its strategic focus on fostering robust partnerships to achieve new heights in the global gaming industry with partners such as Booming Games.

Solomon Godwin, Head of Africa at Booming Games, expressed his enthusiasm: “We’re delighted to continue our expansion in the African betting markets, and SportPesa’s strong and trusted brand will only enhance these possibilities. Our slot offerings are as wide-ranging as they are high quality, providing exceptional entertainment and sustainability for their customers. We believe we can offer real value to African players.”

Paul Wilson, Senior Product Manager at SportPesa, added: “We are very happy with the new partnership with Booming Games. Offering their immersive, dynamic, and vibrant games to our customers in Kenya, Sportpesa Tanzania, and around the globe on our platform is exciting. Booming Games’ titles will be a great addition to our market-leading casino lobby, and I’m sure our customers will enjoy playing them.”

The post Booming Games and SportPesa forge strategic partnership to elevate the African gaming market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.