Africa
Dates and new qualification pathway confirmed as Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 looks to inspire a new generation of rugby fans
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 to take place from 9-11 September, 2022; New striking RWC Sevens 2022 brand and RWCSevens.com website unveiled; RWC Sevens 2022 will be contested by 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams; New qualification process will see non-qualified teams qualify only through regional competitions; 16 men’s places and 11 women’s places available for non-qualified teams; South Africa’s women secure automatic qualification as tournament hosts.
World Rugby (www.World.rugby) and hosts South Africa Rugby today confirmed Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town will take place from 9-11 September, 2022.
The eighth edition is the first to be hosted in Africa with organisers anticipating a very special and record-breaking event at the iconic 57,654 capacity Cape Town Stadium.
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 will be contested by 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams.
The top eight men’s teams and top four women’s teams from the hugely successful RWC Sevens 2018 in San Francisco, USA, have already secured automatic qualification for the tournament in 2022.
The qualified teams for the men’s event are defending champions New Zealand, England, South Africa Fiji, Argentina, USA, France, Scotland, while defending champions New Zealand, France, Australia and USA have already booked their tickets to the women’s event in Cape Town. South Africa’s women will join them as the host nation.
Teams that have not qualified automatically will do so via their respective regional tournaments held in Europe, Oceania, Asia, North America, South America, and Africa. With 16 places available in the men’s tournament and 11 in the women’s from regional competitions.
The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will no longer form part of the qualification pathway for Rugby World Cup Sevens. Regional qualification is expected to start in August of this year with further details to be announced at a later stage.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “We are delighted to announce the tournament dates for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 alongside the unveiling of a striking new brand that truly captures the unique, fun and carnival spirit of the tournament.
“This is an exciting time for rugby sevens with less than 70 days to go until the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo and now with Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 also on the horizon. South Africa has a rich history in hosting world-class international rugby sevens events, and we anticipate that Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 will once again raise the bar for this unique tournament and be like no other.”
“South African rugby is eager to turn the vibrancy of this new brand into the vibrancy of a packed live event where we can showcase both our country and our passion for the sport,” said Mr Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby. “This will be the first senior World Cup we have hosted since 1995 and we are determined to make it as special in its own way.
“The HSBC Cape Town Sevens has established itself as a major must-see event on our national sporting calendar, but we will be taking Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 to the next level.”
Alongside confirmation of the dates and new qualification pathway, the bespoke tournament brand, developed by World Rugby and SA Rugby, has also been unveiled.
The striking brand radiates unity, energy and passion and celebrates the spirit of rugby sevens that will ignite Cape Town’s finest rugby stage, as the top men’s and women’s teams from around the world compete to be crowned world champions.
World Rugby Chief Marketing Officer Marissa Pace today said “Our goal is to ignite Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 with a bold event mark, reflecting the fast pace and dynamic play of Sevens, but also the vibrancy of Cape Town and South Africa. With Table Mountain at the heart of the new logo, our team has also included elements within to represent both the event year and the iconic Cape Town Stadium. We look forward to watching the brand come to life via our partners and hosts South Africa Rugby.”
The tournament is expected to build on the massively successful 2018 edition hosted at AT&T Park in San Francisco, which attracted record attendance for a rugby event in the USA with a total attendance of more than 100,000 fans.
In addition, RWC Sevens 2018 attracted cumulative domestic and global broadcast audiences of more than 24 million and 31 million viewers respectively, which included a record-breaking live broadcast audience of 1.7 million on its final day. The tournament also leveraged 22.5 million social media video views on World Rugby channels over the course of the event.
Details of the ticket sales launch will be announced later this year.
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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.
Africa
Dive Into a Different Kind of Love This February with Springbok Casino’s ‘Whalentines Month’ and Claim 25 Free Spins
This February, SpringbokCasino.co.za redefines the season of love with ‘Whalentines Month’, a unique feature inspired by the majestic whales visiting South Africa’s coast. The campaign celebrates love as a patient, enduring, and natural force.
Players are welcomed with 25 FREE SPINS on the popular slot Buffalo Mania: Thunder Springs.
“February is usually dressed in red — roses, ribbons, and familiar love stories that come and go as quickly as they arrive,” says Daniel Van Wyke, Casino Manager. “But along South Africa’s coastline, love follows a slower rhythm. Whalentines Month honors that deeper connection.”
The feature explores the ocean’s gentle giants:
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The post Dive Into a Different Kind of Love This February with Springbok Casino’s ‘Whalentines Month’ and Claim 25 Free Spins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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