Africa
SmartSoft’s expertise and future vision for the African market
In recent years, the online gaming landscape has witnessed a surge in innovative and engaging titles that capture the interest of players worldwide. Among these, first ever flying crash game by SmartSoft – JetX emerged as a standout game, particularly gaining substantial traction in Africa. This article provides an in-depth examination of JetX, a popular online crash game, and explores the expertise behind its creation. By focusing on the game’s features, the developer SmartSoft Gaming, and insights from an interview with the Vice President Commercial, we aim to highlight the factors contributing to JetX’s success and its impact on the gaming industry.
About SmartSoft Gaming
Founded in Georgia in 2015 by industry experts, SmartSoft set out to create a one-of-a-kind casino games provider that offers high-quality gaming experiences worldwide. By combining interactive features with captivating visuals, we blend gaming and gambling to deliver more engaging, entertaining, and superior experiences. Our mission is not just to attract players but to enhance their enjoyment.
To gain further insights into the development of JetX and the vision behind its creation, we spoke with the Vice President Commercial of SmartSoft.
Rusa Javakhishvili Vice President Commercial of SmartSoft shared insights and analytics from African countries, and outlined future plans. Rusa joined SmartSoft two years ago as Head of Finance and Strategic Projects. In early 2024, she transitioned to the commercial side as Head of Account Management, and is now Vice President of Commercials, overseeing several regions, including Africa.
What was the general concept and inspiration behind JetX?
In recent years, the online gaming landscape has witnessed a surge in innovative and engaging titles that capture the interest of players worldwide. Among these, JetX has emerged as a standout game, particularly gaining substantial traction in Africa. The main concept of the game is that it is easy to play, the player is involved in the decision as much as possible, it is fast and within the fast-paced world we think that it delivers exactly what players need for an enjoyable experience.
How does JetX differentiate itself from other crash games in the market?
At SmartSoft, we appreciate our relationships with partners, it’s very important to us. We constantly think and work to create a valuable product and maintain strong connections with them. SmartSoft’s portfolio includes a diverse range of online casino games, each designed to offer unique features and interactive gameplay but JetX is the literal gem!
JetX is an online crash game that combines simplicity with excitement, offering players an engaging betting experience. This dynamic gameplay requires both luck and strategy, appealing to a broad audience seeking quick, high-stakes action. JetX stands out due to its user-friendly interface, real-time gameplay, and mobile compatibility, making it accessible and enjoyable for players on the go. Its growing popularity in Africa can be attributed to its exciting gameplay mechanics and the potential for significant winnings.
What strategies did you employ to ensure JetX appeals to a diverse audience, particularly in Africa?
When we expanded into the African market, we knew it’s a big and diverse region, so it’s important to understand each country individually instead of seeing it as one market. With our partners’ help, we’re working hard to learn about each country’s marketing practices and what types of games people enjoy. It’s a challenging task, but the African market is a top priority for us, and we’ve allocated resources to quickly build our knowledge in this area.
How has JetX been received by African players compared to other regions? Are there any notable differences in player behavior or preferences?
The African market is one of the most interesting and significant for us, and we believe it has great potential. It is a highly dynamic and exciting market, where players are exposed to a wide variety of games. Their enthusiasm for diverse content gives us inspiration and motivation to create games specifically tailored to their unique preferences and needs. Moreover, they are quick to engage with new releases, eagerly embracing fresh content when it aligns with their tastes and expectations. Although Crash products were introduced only recently, they have quickly become a favorite among consumers. We expect this trend to continue growing.
How do you assess player feedback and incorporate it into ongoing game improvements?
This is a crucial aspect for us. That’s why, in collaboration with our partners, we consistently review key feedback on our games and strive to incorporate it as much as possible into new versions. We strive to bring enjoyment in everything we do – whether it’s in our work environment, or for the end users. Our goal is to delight both the customers and ourselves with our work. Therefore, we integrate gaming’s fun elements into gambling to maximize enjoyment. This approach fuels our drive to innovate and create playful experiences, redefining the gambling industry and making it more entertaining;
What future developments or updates can players expect for JetX?
Our product has undergone numerous changes since its inception, with many more improvements planned. These changes are aimed at delivering the best possible user experience for players while ensuring the product remains of the highest technical quality.
How has the success of JetX influenced SmartSoft’s approach to game development?
JetX, the first Crash game created in 2018, holds a special place as one of the company’s most beloved titles. Its global popularity is evident, and we’re thrilled that players enjoy it. At SmartSoft, having a diversified portfolio is crucial, which is why we release new games every year. As pioneers in the Crash genre, we ensure that we continually expand our offerings. Our goal is to provide players with a wide range of high-quality games they can trust to deliver an enjoyable experience.
The post SmartSoft’s expertise and future vision for the African market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
Amusnet Announces Strategic Partnership with Betway
Amusnet has announced a new strategic partnership with Betway in South Africa, one of the leading brands in the industry. This collaboration significantly strengthens the provider’s presence in South Africa, as its top-notch casino content is now live and available on both betway.co.za and Jackpotcity.co.za. Betway is a market leader not only in South Africa, its largest operation, but also across the UK, LATAM, Spain, Italy and other key African markets.
“This project has been a long time in the making – one that required dedication, teamwork, and persistence across every stage, from negotiation to launch. Having our content now on both Betway and JackpotCity in South Africa reinforces our position as a trusted partner and paves the way for even greater growth across the region,” said David McBryne, Senior Commercial Account Manager at Amusnet.
The new collaboration enables Amusnet to showcase its commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment through an exciting selection of titles. South African players can now enjoy slots such as Shining Crown, 40 Burning Hot, 100 Super Hot and Burning Hot 6 Reels. The launch also includes other fan-favourite titles, such as 20 Golden Coins, 100 Bulky Fruits, Candy Palace and the popular Virtual Roulette.
Candy Palace – it provides special features, such as the Toppling Reels, candy-jar multipliers, Free Spins and the chance to win progressive jackpots.
20 Golden Coins – the slot game captivates with its impressive visuals, elegant design and vibrant animations. It features 20 paylines and 5 reels, along with special bonus features such as Bonus Coins and Mystery Nudge.
This strategic partnership is a testament to Amusnet’s commitment to expanding its global footprint in regulated markets. The company is poised to deliver its high-performing portfolio to a broader audience in the African market.
The post Amusnet Announces Strategic Partnership with Betway appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Africa
State of the African Video Game Industry 2026: Xsolla Backs SpielFabrique’s Definitive Market Report
Xsolla today announced its support for State of the African Video Game Industry 2026, a comprehensive new report from SpielFabrique and researcher PhD Prince Oguguo that maps the size, structure, and growth dynamics of Africa’s fast-evolving games ecosystem. The study delivers data-driven insight into developer realities, market infrastructure, monetization trends and strategic recommendations for partners and investors.
Key findings at a glance
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Market size: Africa’s video games industry generated approximately $1.8 billion in revenue in 2024, driven predominantly by mobile gaming (≈90% of the market).
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Growth drivers: A young, mobile-first population, rising smartphone adoption and broader digital services are fueling above-average expansion across the continent.
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Structural challenges: Persistent pain points include payment friction, limited funding, uneven internet and platform infrastructure, and the lack of a unified continental market.
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Diverse ecosystems: The report stresses regional variation — with deep dives into Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco — showing how local payment systems, regulation and culture shape monetization and discoverability.
Why this report matters
“Supporting research like this helps ground industry conversations in real data and lived developer experience,” said Ilayda Bayari, VP of Business Development, MEA + Southern Europe at Xsolla. The report equips publishers, platforms, investors and policy-makers with actionable intelligence to build more sustainable partnerships with African developers.
Focus areas and recommendations
SpielFabrique’s study examines three critical levers for growth:
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Payments & distribution: Local payment methods and mobile money are essential to improve conversion and lifetime value for African titles.
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Funding & infrastructure: Targeted investment and improved developer tools/platforms are needed to scale studios beyond domestic markets.
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Talent & esports: Clearer talent pathways, education programmes and esports ecosystems will strengthen local production and audience engagement.
Regional snapshots
The research highlights how national differences influence outcomes: strong indie scenes in Nigeria and Kenya, established studios and distribution channels in South Africa, and growing developer communities in North African markets such as Egypt and Morocco.
Launch and supporting activity
The State of the African Video Game Industry 2026 report became available on January 29, 2026, and was launched with a coordinated website feature, social media rollout and a post-launch community webinar to share insights and facilitate industry discussion.
Voices from the field
“After more than seven years working alongside African game makers and ecosystem builders, I’m proud to share this comprehensive overview of where the market stands today,” said Pr. Odile Limpach, Co-founder of SpielFabrique. The report aims to catalyze cooperation and make markets more visible — enabling partners to act on opportunities while appreciating local challenges.
The post State of the African Video Game Industry 2026: Xsolla Backs SpielFabrique’s Definitive Market Report appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Accra
Kaizen Gaming Launches Betano in Ghana — 20th Regulated Market & Responsible GameTech Expansion
Kaizen Gaming has officially launched Betano in Ghana, marking the company’s 20th regulated market and its first market entry of 2026.
The launch underscores Kaizen’s global GameTech expansion strategy—rooted in technology, regulatory compliance and responsible operations—bringing safe sportsbook and casino products to Ghana’s fast-growing digital audience.
Official launch and local leadership
A dedicated launch event in Accra brought together Kaizen Gaming leaders—George Skarlatos (Director of Business Development), Daniel Lamberti (Senior Business Development Advisor) and Joseph Owusu Badu (Country Manager, Ghana)—alongside Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo, Acting Commissioner of the Ghana Gaming Commission. The ceremony celebrated market entry and formalized local partnerships designed to ensure a compliant, trusted player experience from day one.
“Ghana is a market with strong long-term potential, an increasingly tech-oriented population, and a clear commitment to building a structured and transparent regulatory environment,” said George Skarlatos. “With responsibility embedded across our technology, processes and operations, we are fully aligned with Ghana’s regulatory framework.”
Acting Commissioner Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo welcomed Betano’s entry, noting the operator’s commitment to player protection, market integrity and adherence to high regulatory standards.
What Betano brings to Ghana: technology, safety, and choice
Betano’s Ghana launch delivers:
- A full responsible gaming framework and local customer protections.
- A technology-first sportsbook and casino platform optimized for mobile and desktop.
- Local operations led by a Ghana-based country manager to support regulatory compliance and customer care.
These features aim to provide Ghanaian players safe, transparent access to licensed online betting and casino entertainment.
Momentum from global recognition and sports partnerships
Kaizen enters Ghana following a standout year of industry awards and partnerships. The operator was named Operator of the Year at both the EGR Operator Awards and the SBC Awards for the second consecutive year, and in 2025 announced a global FIFA partnership for the FIFA Club World Cup. Kaizen also maintains high-profile football partnerships with clubs such as FC Bayern München, Aston Villa FC, FC Porto, Sporting CP, SL Benfica, River Plate and Flamengo, demonstrating the brand’s marketing strength and sports engagement credentials.
Strategic outlook: scaling responsibly in Africa
Ghana’s strong digital uptake and clear regulatory ambitions make it a priority for Kaizen’s global rollout. By centering regulation, local partnerships and responsible-play tools, Kaizen aims to build a scalable, trusted presence in Ghana while contributing to local economic activity and regulated market growth.
The post Kaizen Gaming Launches Betano in Ghana — 20th Regulated Market & Responsible GameTech Expansion appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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