Africa

Going for posts, Unstoppable inclusion with Rugby Africa

Published

5 years ago

May 3, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Fatma’s journey in rugby began with coincidence, much like many of the greats in the game, Rugby has been a quest of growing one’s confidence. Back in 2015, without any prior experience in playing rugby, Fatma had only attended rugby games as a spectator, most of which were only played by men. After a life changing suggestion for a new hobby from a friend, she made it out to the rugby field behind her office and there her story began, with the support of other female players. When she picked up the oval ball for the first time, she knew that she had found what she had been searching for.

Despite champions of Rugby in Botswana like Fatma campaigning for its broad-based promotion, Rugby and more importantly as a sport for women, has largely remained a sport which exhibits great potential for growth. Fatma exclaims that in Botswana, Rugby for women is hardly discussed. On the other hand, this has not left her, and other Unstoppables demotivated, in fact the value of their work is the single greatest force behind the grassroots development of the game. Her work has been applauded by World Rugby and Rugby Africa, amongst many other organisations and institutions seeking to promote women empowerment. Through the work of Fatma and others, future sports women will join or learn from the sport.

In her own career as a player, Fatma has seen a marked improvement in the participation of more teams in the women’s league. With the number of players increasing over the years, she anticipates that there will be more athletes from school rugby, advancing to league rugby. Further to this she believes that there will also be more women as coaches and referees in the near future- unstoppable.

As part of her outreach efforts, Fatma launched the “A Try for Change”, which is a grassroots initiative to empower girls through the sport. She and others seek to conscientize young women and girls to grow their self-confidence, as a means of unlocking their true potential in society. Rugby is used as a medium of instruction, but the goal of her work is to empower attendees to become agents of change in their respective communities- on or off the field of play. The programme is targeted at primary school leavers and includes modules on introspective exercises, recreational activities with learning objectives, mentorships, as well as preparatory programs in enterprise development.

Coming from a conservative background which does not prioritise the involvement of women in sports, Fatma has vigorously worked to change perceptions of elders and community leaders, to work with their support. She has opened way for reports and researched findings, to find their way into the hands of key decision makers. Overall, the programme has received a positive reception from participants, teachers and the Botswana Rugby Union, and plans are already afoot to run ‘A Try for Change’ again in the new year.

Based on the feedback she has received working with young girls, Fatma used the global “Try & Stop Us” campaign to address the issue of Gender Based Violence affecting women and children inher community. As an Unstoppable leader, she is breaking the silence of abuse in communities by raising awareness around civil liberties and justice. She deeply empathises with young girls who are not taught about building their confidence in school, as the priority is generally put on teaching the standard course curriculum. Sessions with Fatma and her team have become safe and supportive structures for personal development in the schools and communities they serve.

Fatma believes that instilling self-confidence in young women sets them up for life, not only for them to be leaders in the future, but more importantly now, for them to be able to tackle head on collisions with Gender Based Violence and many other scourges of society.

President of the Women’s Rugby Advisory Committee at Rugby Africa, Ms Paula Lancoemphasised that, “the WRAC and creation of its sub-committees will ultimately help increase awareness of women in rugby, attracting more tournaments and partnerships with sponsors, increasing the overall popularity of the game in the continent.”

According to Maha Zaoui, Women’s Manager Rugby Africa, “With the impact COVID-19 has placed globally, we are able to work with the sub-committees to overcome challenges the pandemic has placed on world sports and identifying untapped opportunities,”.

For Fatma, Rugby has been life changing not just for her career as a person, but more importantly it has empowered her as an individual to transform the lives of many. Her personal journey has become a reference point for others, who share in her passion and struggle for inclusion in different parts of their lives. Her outreach work has won many over and today has set the foundation for unstoppable future female leaders in Botswana and Africa at large, who have been transformed through the philosophy of the game.

Source: Rugby Africa.

Africa

GR8 Tech to Spotlight Platform for Champions During SiGMA Africa 2026

Published

7 hours ago

February 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

gr8-tech-to-spotlight-platform-for-champions-during-sigma-africa-2026

GR8 Tech is entering SiGMA Africa 2026 with Platform for Champions—an ecosystem designed for operators who thrive under pressure, grow with precision, and reject anything mediocre. From March 3–5 in Cape Town, the team will be present on the show floor at booth 169, prepared to demonstrate how its platform enables brands to succeed consistently throughout Africa. GR8 Tech has also emerged as a top contender for Best Online Sportsbook Provider at the SiGMA Africa Awards 2026—a acknowledgment that showcases the impact the platform is already making throughout the region.

Live Demonstrations Throughout the Platform for Champions Collection

GR8 Tech will conduct practical demonstrations of Platform for Champions, illustrating how its sportsbook, casino, affiliate, and turnkey solutions collaborate across operator situations, from acquisition to cross-vertical interaction and localization. The complete portfolio will be showcased, featuring Crypto Turnkey, ULTIM8 Sportsbook, Infinite Casino Aggregation, and Aff.Tech, designed to assist teams in launching more quickly and enhancing performance.

Twilight Wine Journey by GR8 Tech

In addition to the conference, GR8 Tech is organizing the Sunset Wine Experience—an exclusive event aimed at fostering engaging discussions with quality wine in a historic venue. The occasion is scheduled for March 4, 2026 (18:30–late) in Stellenbosch at Quoin Rock Wine Estate. To obtain a private invitation, sign up on GR8 Tech’s website.

GR8 Tech CSO Participates in Discussion on Conversion Rates in South Africa

Player acquisition in South Africa is advancing rapidly, making it increasingly difficult to manage CAC effectively. This is the reason Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech, will participate in the essential panel “Player Acquisition in South Africa: What Converts and What Doesn’t” on Thursday, March 5 (14:25–14:50). Marketing executives will analyze what is effective (and what isn’t) in paid media, influencers, retail interactions, and community-driven growth, emphasizing CAC discipline, channel exhaustion, and sustainable conversion tactics in a rapidly mobile environment.

Creating iGaming Leaders in Africa

GR8 Tech will be present at the event to engage with industry leaders, share actionable growth tactics, and showcase how Platform for Champions facilitates intelligent acquisition, enhanced engagement, and scalable operations in competitive settings.

“Across Africa, we’ve already helped operators like Mojabet and BongoBongo accelerate their business: moving faster in-market, sharpening performance, and achieving significant revenue growth,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech. “Now, we’re only pushing harder in the region. So if you’re an operator who wants to perform like a champion, with a platform built for speed, control, and scale, let’s sit down at SiGMA Africa and talk about what winning looks like in your market.”

Meet GR8 Tech at SiGMA Africa 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa (March 3–5), at The Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World. Book a meeting in advance, see the platform in action, and explore what it takes to scale like a champion in one of Africa’s most exciting iGaming hubs.

The post GR8 Tech to Spotlight Platform for Champions During SiGMA Africa 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

EveryMatrix gains South Africa licence with customer launch pipeline on the rise

Published

1 week ago

February 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

everymatrix-gains-south-africa-licence-with-customer-launch-pipeline-on-the-rise

EveryMatrix has obtained official licensing consent to provide its complete platform technology in South Africa, with its client pipeline quickly expanding throughout the continent and significant customer launches approaching.

EveryMatrix South Africa (EMSA) has obtained a manufacturer’s license from the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board and is now permitted to offer its modular and turnkey platform solutions in sports, casino, player account management (PAM), payments, and affiliate management to top local and international operators.

The tier-1 technology provider has achieved considerable progress throughout Africa recently, collaborating with numerous local brands and finalizing agreements with several others set to launch in the upcoming months.

The purchase of FSB Technology has also given it additional access to South Africa and various other developed and developing iGaming markets on the continent.

An increasing number of major local and global tier-1 operators, as well as World Lottery Association member organizations in essential regulated markets, are choosing EveryMatrix’s turnkey platform technology.

Mark Schmidt, Managing Director, Africa, EveryMatrix, said: “Bringing our full suite of turnkey platform products into South Africa under our new licence is enabling us to power some of the biggest brands here, giving them access to technology that will instantly unlock their potential and drive market growth. In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be announcing some major deals so watch this space.

“Our casino, sports, PAM, payments, games and content aggregation and affiliate management solutions, supported by our local experts who understand their needs and challenges are providing an offering no one else has been able to offer so far in South Africa and across the continent.”

The post EveryMatrix gains South Africa licence with customer launch pipeline on the rise appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

Meridianbet Marks 17 Years in Tanzania with Over 500 Community Initiatives

Published

1 week ago

February 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

meridianbet-marks-17-years-in-tanzania-with-over-500-community-initiatives

When Meridianbet’s Tanzania operations spoke at the American Chamber of Commerce Appreciation Dinner last week, the presentation opened with a single number: 500.

That’s how many community initiatives the sports entertainment company has completed across Tanzania since 2009. Education programmes. Small business training. Youth sports sponsorship. Public health awareness campaigns. Local infrastructure support.

For a gaming company operating under a NASDAQ-listed parent, sustained community investment at this scale is unusual. The industry has a reputation for extracting value. Meridianbet’s seventeen-year presence in Tanzania tells a different story.

The Social Model

“We’re in the business of friends gathering at local clubs to watch matches, share a drink, and place small stakes on the outcome. The betting is part of the experience. The gathering is the real value,” a company representative said at the event.

The framing matters because it shapes operational decisions. Meridianbet Tanzania, as is the case worldwide, structures its platform to encourage many customers placing small amounts. The alternative would be concentrating revenue among high-stakes players. That model creates problems. Problem gambling. Revenue volatility. Regulatory scrutiny.

Small-stake betting spread across many customers creates different dynamics. Lower risk per individual. More stable revenue. Better alignment with Tanzania’s consumer protection regulations.

The company’s responsible gaming protocols reflect this approach. Early intervention when betting patterns suggest trouble. Support resources in Swahili and English. Limits designed to keep stakes small and entertainment value high.

Community Ambassadors

The scale of Meridianbet’s community programmes drew attention at the AmCham dinner. What got people talking was who runs them.

The company built a network of “community ambassadors.” These are customers who participate in CSR initiatives as partners. They identify needs in their neighbourhoods. They volunteer in education programmes. They mentor local entrepreneurs. They organise school supply drives and coach youth sports teams.

This shifts how corporate social responsibility works. Traditional CSR runs top-down. Companies donate money. Communities receive it. The relationship is transactional.

Meridianbet’s model distributes responsibility. Customers become patrons of community development. The company provides platform and resources. The customers craft the donation policy.

“When a customer helps fund a school program or mentors a young business owner, they’re building their own community. We make it possible,” the representative said.

Seventeen years and 500 initiatives suggest the model works. Whether it scales beyond Tanzania remains to be seen. For now, it appears to have created genuine community ties rather than performative charity.

The Gender Metric

One data point from the presentation got repeated in conversations after the event: 70% of managerial positions across Meridianbet’s African operations are held by women.

The gaming industry globally runs around 30% women in leadership roles. East African businesses average 35%. Meridianbet’s 70% is an outlier.

The company implements a performance-based hiring and promotion. No quotas. Just competence rewarded. Whether that’s the full story or not, the outcome is measurable. Management teams reflect the communities they serve. Diversity intentions are easy to state. Diversity outcomes are harder to deliver. The Company’s numbers show outcome.

Seventeen Years

Tanzania’s gaming market has grown considerably since 2009. Mobile penetration increased. Disposable incomes rose among the middle class. International operators entered. Some stayed. Many left when margins compressed or regulations tightened.

Meridianbet stayed. Seventeen years. 200 employees. Hundreds of local retail partnerships. That longevity suggests the company views Tanzania as infrastructure, not opportunity.

American companies face pressure to demonstrate ESG commitments in emerging markets. Words are easy. Execution is hard. Meridianbet’s Tanzania operations show what seventeen years of execution looks like.

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