Africa

Outlook on Africa’s Gaming Industry 2020-2025 – Mobile Gaming Will Hold a Major Market Share

Published

6 years ago

July 24, 2020

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The “Africa Gaming Market – Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2020-2025)” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.

The gaming industry is expected to register a CAGR of 12% during the forecast period (2020-2025). The most recent trend is the growing availability and popularity of multi-functional gaming console, which is emerging in the market and helping in growing the market of video games in the region.

Africa is the only region in the world where the youth population is increasing. By 2050 Africa’s young people, i.e., those aged between 0 and 24 years old, will increase by nearly 50 percent. Africa will have the most significant number of young people. Africa’s youth are critical to the continent’s future when it comes to mobile and gaming as a whole.

African studios are making new inroads by launching original locally produced content on Netflix. Several local content productions have been nominated for several global awards, including the Oscars. The Annecy Festival in 2020 will be focusing on animation from Africa. In addition to this, government initiatives in the region are adopting gaming solutions for educational purposes. Developments such as these will provide opportunities for the gaming industry in the area.

During the lockdown, the Entertainment streaming and gaming industries are thriving. The global suspension or cancellation of most sporting events has left punters without live games to bet on, aside from re-runs of filmed matches. The knock-on effect is that sports betting, which accounts for most of the industry’s revenue, has crashed to almost nil.

While the traditional gambling industry is facing unparalleled losses, online gambling sites have reported a surge in activity since the national lockdown came into effect on 27 March 2020. While online casinos worldwide have reported a sharp increase in gambling, as lockdown periods are extended, and financial stresses intensify, people may become increasingly hesitant to spend money on non-essential pastimes, such as gambling.

Key Market Trends

Mobile Gaming Segment Expected to Have Major Market Share

Mobile gaming generates close to half of the revenue that the gaming industry gets annually. More than 200 million Africans are below 35 years, and this figure might double in a decade. Africa has a huge market for gaming and smartphone companies.
Mobile gaming is gaining popularity in remote parts of Africa. For example, more than 290 million people in North Africa use mobile phones. The mobile market in the region generates $90 billion annually.
One of the major drivers for the growth of mobile gaming is the potential to spawn a massive real-money gaming industry around the continent. Mobile tech spreads around the continent, large swaths of Africa are also paving the way for legal betting and gaming.
However, acceleration in network rollouts by mobile operators in Sub-Saharan Africa has been a vital driver of the reduction in the coverage gap. Infrastructure deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa increased 3G coverage from 63% in 2017 to 70% in 2018, extending access to more than 80 million people. 3.3 billion people live in areas covered by mobile broadband networks but do not use mobile internet – this usage gap’ is more than four times greater than the coverage gap. Such factors might harm gaming companies operating in the region.

Issues Such as Piracy, Laws & Regulations, and Concerns Relating to Fraud During Gaming Transactions will Impact the Growth of the Market

Most African countries have gaming commissions and laws that regulate gambling. South Africa has clear gaming laws and regulations. It was the first country to create gambling regulation in the continent. Also, online casinos are popular in the country.
In South Africa, several legislative attempts to further restrict online gambling and payment transactions of unlicensed operators have been postponed in recent years. However, some legislators and regulators at the provincial level have called for a less restrictive regime.
There is currently an ongoing political and religious debate on the perceived high number of minors accessing gambling. As a result, in May 2019, the minister of finance urged the National Gaming Board (NGB) to stop issuing gaming and betting licenses immediately. The government restricted gambling advertising as of January 2019. Additional measures to ensure responsible gambling and revenue collection to the state budget are on the list.
A new advocacy organization designed to collaborate, coordinate, partner, build and sustain the growth of esports on the continent has been formed. ESFA or The Esports Federation of Africa is established by a community of both private esports entities, and national federations. WESCO affiliates it. With the launch of the ESFA, African gamers now have a voice, an advocate, an organization with grassroots developments of players at its core. These will provide better opportunities and therefore strengthen the local market in the region.

Competitive Landscape

The gaming market is fragmented as the demand for online games, and increasing penetration of mobile applications across the region will help attract new players in this market over the next few years. Recent developments in the market are:

In May 2020, Sony announced new PlayStation Studios branding for its first-party PS5 games. Sony will be using the new PlayStation Studios brand for its first-party exclusives going forward as a way to let customers know that a game comes from one of Sony’s in-house development teams.
In August 2019, Konami Digital Entertainment BV announced that the mobile version of e-Football PES 2020 would be released in October, and it represents a complete overhaul of the current PES 2019 mobile game. The latest major update to the PES Mobile series, which celebrated over 200 million downloads earlier this year, brings many of the critical features and licenses already announced for e-Football PES 2020 on PC and console.

Africa

Amusnet Announces Strategic Partnership with Betway

Published

5 days ago

February 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

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

Published

6 days ago

February 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

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

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).
Growth drivers: A young, mobile-first population, rising smartphone adoption and broader digital services are fueling above-average expansion across the continent.
Structural challenges: Persistent pain points include payment friction, limited funding, uneven internet and platform infrastructure, and the lack of a unified continental market.
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:

Payments & distribution: Local payment methods and mobile money are essential to improve conversion and lifetime value for African titles.
Funding & infrastructure: Targeted investment and improved developer tools/platforms are needed to scale studios beyond domestic markets.
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

Published

6 days ago

February 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

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.