Africa is now the third largest e-gaming market with 186 million players
The gaming industry in Africa has experienced significant growth over the past few years. The number of gamers on the continent has more than doubled since 2015, increasing from 77 million to 186 million players. This growth has positioned Africa as one of the fastest-growing gaming markets globally.
During an interview with CNN’s Zain Asher Jay Shapiro, the Chairperson of the Pan-African Gaming Group highlighted the continent’s potential in the gaming industry. Despite being a relatively new market, Africa is on track to become one of the largest gaming markets in the world. The sheer demographic advantage, with Africa having over a billion youth, contributes to this growth projection. In the next decade, Africa is expected to become the third-largest gaming market globally, following the United States and China.
Nairobi’s Afrigamer gaming hub serves as a gathering place for players from across the country who come to compete in tournaments. The physical location of Afrigamer allows gamers to meet their online friends in person, creating a safe space for social interaction. Additionally, the hub addresses the issue of limited internet access by providing a reliable gaming environment for those who cannot afford high-speed internet connections at home.
The majority of gamers in Africa play on their mobile phones. Africa is known as a mobile-first continent, and it is projected that by 2026, there will be more smartphones in Africa than in India. Therefore, game developers targeting the African market should prioritize mobile gaming platforms to cater to the preferences and accessibility of African gamers.
Dean Gichukie, the Game Producer and CEO of Kunta Content, is currently working on a Masai-themed game called ‘Hiru’ for PC and console. However, he highlights a major challenge in the industry, stating, “There is a lack of an established community of game developers who have been creating games for many years, possibly even decades, that we can rely on for support, advice, feedback, and assistance. This is essentially our biggest hurdle, as it leads to the second challenge of accessing funding or financial resources.”
Gichukie firmly believes that immersing oneself in the virtual world can bring about tangible changes in real life. He explains, “Games have an incredible power to transport players into different worlds and realities, and having the opportunity to do so from an African perspective is truly rare. It allows us to showcase the journey of a young African man, depicting what it’s like to live in Africa and face the daily challenges unique to the continent. Through these games, we aim to foster empathy and provide players with a deeper understanding of the African experience.” SOURCE: CNN
