The African gaming market has become one of the fastest-growing markets globally. In 2024, it generated revenue of $1.8 billion, which means it’s an excellent opportunity for investors and developers to explore.
Africa is definitely the future of gaming as it embraces the online experience that technology brings. Technology has been the main driver for the success of gaming and players enjoy the convenience mobile gaming gives them. Sites such as Live88 give players an experience that was only a dream decades ago.
With such exponential growth in the African gaming industry, it’s a potential investment ground.
What Are the Statistics?
- The gaming industry in Africa managed to reach $1.8 billion in revenue in 2024.
- The gaming industry has grown by 12.4% from 2023 to 2024, with a year-over-year (YOY) growth rate of 2.1%. This rate exceeds the global average six times.
- Mobile games are the most popular, with 87% of games accessed with a mobile device.
- Nigeria became the top video gaming market in 2022, overtaking South Africa with a revenue of up to 249 million dollars generated from gaming activities.
- The top performers in the African Market are Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia.
- According to the Global Trade Association for Mobile Operators, by 2030, 88% of sub-Saharan Africa will own a smartphone. This means more people can access online gaming platforms.
- Egypt is considered the top contributor among countries driving the gaming ecosystem. The gaming industry in Egypt has a value of over $368 million, accounting for more than 20% of African gaming Revenue.
- In 2023 Nigeria had over 14 million gamers, while Egypt had about 20.2 million.
Factors Driving the Growth of Mobile Gaming in Africa
The mobile gaming industry continues to experience rapid growth. It’s driven by some key factors that contribute to the industry’s expansion and continue to create a better future.
1. Better Internet Access and Speed
Using faster internet is growing as the penetration of smartphones also increases. The Internet is much faster now and better than ever. The implementation of 5G in some areas across the continent means players can enjoy cloud gaming with ease.
These internet speeds also allow for simplified live casino API integration. With faster internet, players can enjoy seamless gaming experiences, and therefore more people are likely to join in.
2. More Collaboration, Acquisitions, Investments and Mergers
Strategic investments and collaborations are also factors that are fueling the growth of the mobile gaming industry. These investments enable gaming companies to expand on the most popular titles and improve technologies. This means they can reach new audiences.
Also, these increased investments feed the growth of the mobile gaming scene. It’s done so to ensure that game providers can give players top-notch gaming experiences.
3. An Increase in the Availability of Affordable Digital Devices
There’s been widespread adoption of smartphones and other forms of affordable digital devices. This means there are more people that can enter the mobile gaming market. So they can enjoy playing their favourite games right from their smartphones.
4. Wider Access to Free-to-Play Games
There’s been an increase in free-to-play (F2P or FtP) games that are accessible on mobile devices. This means the audiences that have access to these have increased as more people own mobile devices. Most people enjoy the convenience that mobile devices provide.
5. Different Games for Different Tastes
The mobile gaming industry appeals to a larger audience because it caters to different preferences and tastes. It has provided thousands of games for people to enjoy. Plus, individuals can always select their favourite game from the different genres of mobile gaming.
6. Growth in Esports
People are starting to recognise the potential of esports as a source of economic development and entertainment. Esports has become an excellent way for Africa’s digital economy to provide more opportunities for gamers to earn a living through sponsorships, tournaments, and content creation.
Mobile gaming will change the future of esports in Africa by allowing players to have more accessibility to their favourite games at an affordable price. The widespread adoption of technologies across Africa will ensure that the esports ecosystem is sustainable.
7. Innovative Payment Systems
Innovative mobile payment systems boost mobile gaming by making payments convenient and accessible. Players can make payments for in-game purchases easily and also withdraw into their e-wallets.
In recent years there have been multiple digital wallets set up in Africa. In Nigeria, the most popular ones are Opay and Flutterwave. In Kenya, there’s M-Pesa; in Egypt, Fawry and in Morocco, WafaCash.
Interesting Facts
Carry1st is the number one game publisher in Africa, and it hosted a Carry1st Africa Cup: Call of Duty Mobile Tournament. This was one of the major events in the gaming sector and has since boosted its popularity.
Eritrea and Niger have shown a significant increase in gaming revenue which is a boost in the industry for them. On the other hand, Equatorial Guinea has shown slower growth.
In 2024, six Nigerians were part of the Call of Duty mobile tournament, which was hosted by Ireland. They managed to earn over $10,000 combined in a single tournament from both gaming and content creation. Call of Duty Mobile is one of the most popular games in Africa.
A Future to Look Out For
Technology has played a major role in the expansion of mobile gaming. This was done through better internet access, mobile penetration, and innovative payment systems in Africa. Mobile gaming has proven cheaper than buying high-end consoles and computers and has gained popularity because it’s affordable and user-friendly.
FAQ
1. What are free-to-play games?
Free-to-play video games allow players full or partial access to a certain portion of the gaming content. Plus, this is without paying and, at times, may not require payment to continue playing. F2P games are unique in that they don’t require any form of payment to access gaming services.
2. What are the major contributors to the mobile gaming ecosystem?
- Better internet access and speeds
- An increase in affordable devices
- Wider access to free-to-play games
- Innovative payment methods
