Unleashing Africa’s Power in Gaming: New Platforms, Bold Players

Africa’s gaming industry is rapidly establishing itself as a lucrative and transformative sector, propelled by unique market dynamics and substantial growth opportunities. By 2024, Sub-Saharan Africa’s gaming industry is set to reach US$ 2.1 billion in revenue, with standout markets like Nigeria and South Africa generating US$ 249 million and US$ 236 million, respectively, as of 2022.

Ethiopia shows the fastest year-over-year revenue growth, while Uganda is steadily rising at 6%, signaling the various trajectories within the region. With 95% of gamers in Sub-Saharan Africa gaming on tablets or smartphones, the continent’s mobile-first approach is leading the charge, leveraging the growing affordability and accessibility of mobile devices.

The economic structure of the Africa gaming ecosystem is still evolving, and a report by Astute Analytica Projects that the Africa gaming market is expected to reach a market size of US$ 10.81 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 19.96% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.

A brief about the market: -

The rapid adoption of connectivity infrastructure has been a major factor in this boom of the gaming market. By 2029, household internet access in South Africa is estimated to reach 97.38%, while the rollout of 4G and 5G networks across Sub-Saharan and North Africa is extending gaming accessibility for millions. The continent’s median age of 19.7 years—particularly younger than the global median of 30.4—forms a vast and engaged audience. Notably, 66% of African gamers engage in gaming activities at least three times daily, with sports games like PES and FIFA dominating on consoles, while puzzle, adventure, and strategy games flourish on mobile platforms.

Investment in Africa’s gaming market is also gaining momentum, with more than US$ 94.7 million in funding secured over the past decade. Global players such as Sony have identified the region’s potential, evidenced by their strategic investment in Carry1st, a Cape Town-based mobile games publisher. Despite challenges such as limited monetization channels and dependence on informal console markets, the region delivers untapped potential, particularly for culturally relevant content. More than 50% of African gamers are eager for games reflecting their culture, yet 56% are unaware of locally developed titles. This gap offers a golden opportunity for developers to form tailored content that echoes with local gamers, ensuring Africa’s gaming industry cements its position as a cornerstone of the global market. 

Improving Internet Access and Connectivity Infrastructure in Africa

The advancement of internet connectivity across Africa is a key driver for the gaming market’s growth, as it allows millions of gamers to download content, access online games, and participate in global gaming communities. In 2023, it is projected that 82% of Africans have access to mobile broadband, primarily via 4G and 3G networks, while the rollout of 5G is steadily developing, with countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya leading the charge. For instance, Nigeria added more than 38 million new internet subscribers in the past two years, and South Africa now boasts more than 30 million active internet users. These developments directly allow gamers to access e-sports platforms, multiplayer games, and cloud gaming services, which hinge on stable, high-speed internet connections.

The affordability of mobile data in several African nations has also contributed to the expansion of the gaming market in the region. According to the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), the cost of 1GB of mobile data in Africa has declined significantly compared to five years ago, with countries like Ghana and Rwanda offering some of the lowest prices for data on the continent. This has helped boost the gaming community, specifically among the youth population, which accounts for 60% of Africa’s total population. Also, enhanced internet access has made competitive e-sports more accessible. Platforms like Gamr, an e-sports startup, have reported more than 300,000 registered players across 24 African countries in 2023, emphasizing the role of connectivity in propelling this trend.

Cloud gaming is another area aided by better internet infrastructure. Although still in its infancy, services like Nvidia’s GeForce Now and Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming are starting to establish a foothold, with more than 1.2 million African gamers experimenting with cloud-based gaming in 2023. This trend is expected to rise as 4G and 5G networks expand further, enabling low-latency, high-quality gaming experiences. Despite challenges in rural connectivity, the ongoing investment in undersea internet cables, such as the 2Africa cable, is set to bring faster and more dependable internet to millions more African users over the next few years.

Rise of Mobile Gaming as the Dominant Platform

Mobile gaming has firmly established itself as the dominant platform in Africa, propelled by the accessibility and affordability of smartphones. As of 2023, there are more than 200 million gamers in Africa, with 95% of them playing on mobile devices. This dominance is partly due to the availability of affordable smartphones, with companies like Transsion (which includes brands such as Tecno, Infinix, and Itel) selling more than 200 million smartphones in Africa in the last five years. These devices, priced as low as US$ 50, have made gaming accessible to a broader audience, specifically in low- and middle-income households.

Mobile gaming revenue has also skyrocketed, accounting for 90% of Africa’s total gaming market revenue in 2023. This is backed by a rising culture of in-app purchases and microtransactions, with African gamers spending an average of US$ 6 annually on games. The success of mobile-first games such as "Free Fire," "Candy Crush Saga," and "PUBG Mobile" reflects the demand for casual and multiplayer games optimized for mobile platforms. Furthermore, African developers are making games tailored to local audiences, such as "Nairobi X" from Kenya and "Semblance" from South Africa, which are gaining popularity among gamers looking for culturally relevant content.

The growth of mobile gaming has also enabled the growth of competitive e-sports, with tournaments hosted on mobile platforms gaining traction. For instance, the Africa Mobile Gaming League recorded more than 500,000 participants in 2023, and free-to-play games like "Call of Duty: Mobile" are boosting community engagement. Also, mobile payment platforms such as M-Pesa and Paystack have made in-game transactions seamless, further boosting spending on mobile games. With smartphone adoption continuing to rise and 4G connectivity expanding, mobile gaming’s dominance is anticipated to persist, solidifying its central role in the African gaming ecosystem.

Recent Launches and Development: -

In 2024, MTN South Africa and sportech company Telecoming have extended their partnership to establish a new cloud gaming service in South Africa. The service, MTN Cloudplay, permits MTN customers in South Africa to stream and access cloud-based high-end PC games on their mobile phones without the requirement for downloads or high-end gaming consoles. MTN said users can utilize multiple devices to access the games seamlessly. Gamers who have bought games on Steam such as Grand Theft Auto V and Fallout 4 can import their licences to Cloudplay to access the games there. MTN is also utilizing its 5G network to promise low latency with minimal lag for the games, said Jason Probert, GM for digital services at MTN South Africa. “The advent of 5G means that it is now possible to play and stream games without the requirement for a PC or console,” he said in a statement. MTN South Africa established its 5G network in 2020. As of September 2024, its 5G coverage got to 44% of the population.

Last week, MTN South Africa and Huawei said they had completed a 5G-Advanced network trial in South Africa at MTN’s head office in Johannesburg.

In 2024, MSI established its new AI-powered laptops and the MSI Claw handheld gaming console in South Africa. The laptops pack heavy power courtesy of Intel’s latest mobile processors, including the Intel Core Ultra range – which are the first Intel processors to boast a devoted Neural Processing Unit (NPU). The MSI AI-powered gaming laptop models available now in South Africa are as follows MSI Raider GE78 HX, MSI Titan 18 HX, MSI Sword 17 HX, MSI Stealth 16 AI Studio, MSI Cyborg 15 AI, and MSI Thin 15. The MSI Titan 18HX is now the premier MSI gaming laptop, boasting up to a 14th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, MSI’s Overboost Ultra technology, and up to 270W of power.

This is complemented by an 18-inch 4K 120Hz Mini-LED display for an unrivaled gaming understanding, while the industry-leading Vapor Chamber Cooler delivers the best thermals possible. The MSI Raider delivers the same CPU and GPU configurations, as well as MSI Overboost Ultra. It then supports up to 250W total power, boasts a 99.9Whr battery, and utilizes Cooler Boost 5 thermal technology.

Closing Note: -

The gaming terrain in Africa is growing rapidly, propelled by a unique blend of technological advancements, an engaged and youthful population, and rising investments. As the region continues to harness the power of mobile-first gaming, enhanced connectivity, and cultural relevance, it stands poised to be a central hub for global gaming innovation. The rising accessibility of affordable devices, high-speed internet, and cloud gaming services sets the stage for exceptional growth. As the continent adopts these opportunities, it not only strengthens its gaming ecosystem but also reshapes the global industry. With bold players and groundbreaking platforms on the rise, Africa’s gaming future is not just bright—it is bound to be transformative.