Africa’s gaming industry is expected to generate revenues of over $1 billion this year. Rapid growth, fuelled by a young population, improved internet access and more smartphones, has prompted major technology companies such as Microsoft, Sony and Disney to invest in the sector.
The video game market in Africa has shown promising growth, from $862 million in revenue in 2022 to an expected $1 billion in 2024, an increase of 8.7%, according to gaming analytics firm Newzoo.
Ebenezer Gasonoo, also known as Nomak in games, has been playing online since the 1990s. He says there was a time when game developers didn’t recognise African players. When he tried to log in and list Ghana as his home country, he was told the game didn’t support it and he would have to find another game.
“The first ten years of active video gaming in Africa were bad,” he said. “I think with the boom in online systems and the boom in video gaming in Africa, you see that some games are aimed at the whole world, but now they include Africa, and that’s very nice to see.”
According to a report by the African gaming industry, the number of gamers in sub-Saharan Africa has increased from 77 million in 2015 to 186 million in 2021. 95 percent of gamers play on their mobile phones.
According to polling company Geopoll, the majority of respondents see gaming as their primary source of entertainment, relaxation and a way to combat boredom, with 73% playing for fun and 64% playing to relieve stress.
African game developer Daniel Macharia from Kenya has been developing video games since 2015.
Macharia developed Nairobbery, an action-adventure game in which players must navigate the city and overcome challenges inspired by real-life scenarios, as well as explore famous landmarks and hidden locations in an engaging narrative that weaves together local folklore and urban stories.
He said the game also features open clashes between police and protesters, a common sight in many African countries, including Kenya. The two main characters are college students, he said, and some of the game’s levels pit them against police.
“There was a kind of parallel coincidence where the game started to reflect real life,” Macharia said. “It was just further confirmation that I had chosen the right path.”
The gaming sector is receiving funding from Microsoft, Disney and Sony, raising millions of dollars to develop more games and expand gaming consumption across the continent.
Jay Shapiro, chairman of the Pan African Gaming Group, said Africa is attracting investment with its untapped potential in storytelling.
“Africa has a millennia-old heritage of stories and legends that have never been heard in much of the world,” he said. “So this new interest is giving a voice to a lot of creators across the continent to share those stories. And I think that’s really powerful. And games are being created where Africans can see themselves in the game, which has never happened historically in the industry.”
Eyram Tawia, a Ghanaian game developer, said video games can help preserve African traditions.
“Video games also provide a medium for preserving culture in the long term. If we continue to produce local content, it can be packaged and distributed globally through app stores with just one click,” said Tawia. “This will bring a lot of revenue to the African continent.”
Recent investments, game camps and conferences in some African countries are helping to reduce the financial challenges faced by video game developers. The events support game development and education, making it easier for developers to create games and learn new skills.
