Driven by countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, the African gaming market is rapidly expanding. According to the latest report by Market Data Forecast, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of the African digital gaming market is expected to reach 11.65% from 2024 to 2033. This growth is attributed to the widespread adoption of smartphones, improved internet coverage, and the strong demand for digital entertainment among the youth.
In Nigeria, a large young population and thriving local mobile game development, coupled with the widespread use of smartphones, have made mobile gaming immensely popular. South Africa's gaming market is relatively mature, integrating traditional gambling with rapidly growing online operations, and esports and fantasy sports are also expanding quickly. Policy levels encourage openness and innovation, creating a favorable ecosystem. Kenya, on the other hand, leverages mobile payment tools like M-Pesa to provide users with convenient ways to recharge and withdraw funds, aiding in the healthy development of the market.
The report emphasizes that mobile devices and network connections are the foundation driving the leap in the entire African gaming industry. However, it also points out that the legal environments vary greatly between countries, and weak network coverage and infrastructure in some rural areas remain limiting factors. Despite this, investments in technology and payment infrastructure are gradually alleviating these issues.
Overall, Africa is rapidly emerging as an important new force in the global digital gaming industry.
