Women in Gaming Africa

Check out Part 1 of the WiG Africa 2024 Round-Up! 🙌 If you haven't yet, subscribe to our newsletter to keep up-to-date with our community! 👏 Stay tuned for Part 2 to be released in two weeks 🎉 #WiGAfrica #WomeninGaming #Newsletter #2024RoundUp

A Tribute to a Legacy Legend: Sol Kerzner (1935-2020) As we bring our inaugural TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming, Africa 2024 to a close, we honour the late Sol Kerzner, a true Legacy Legend. Posthumously recognised for his unparalleled contributions to the land-based casino industry, Kerzner’s visionary leadership and iconic developments, forever transformed the gaming and hospitality landscape in Africa and beyond. His legacy continues to inspire, shaping the future of gaming with the innovation and excellence he championed. Sol Kerzner, the legendary hotelier and founder of Southern Sun, Sun International, and Kerzner International; Kerzner rose from humble beginnings to redefine the global hospitality industry, creating some of the world’s most iconic resorts. His career began in 1962 with the transformation of a small Durban inn into a sought-after hotel. At 26, he built South Africa’s first five-star hotel, The Beverly Hills, and later created the groundbreaking Sun City, a luxury resort featuring world-class hotels, entertainment venues, and golf courses. Central to Sun City’s appeal were its casinos, which set new standards for luxury gaming in Africa, showcasing Kerzner’s ability to merge hospitality with entertainment. Kerzner’s impact on land-based casinos extended internationally. In the 1990s, he revolutionised the concept of destination gaming with Atlantis Paradise Island in The Bahamas, blending extravagant casinos with family-friendly entertainment. He later expanded the model with Atlantis The Palm in Dubai and The Mohegan Sun in the U.S., which remains one of North America's largest gaming and entertainment complexes. Kerzner’s casinos were not just about gambling but about offering a holistic luxury experience, combining high-end accommodations, fine dining, and world-class entertainment. Despite his fame, Kerzner remained deeply family-oriented and resilient in the face of personal and professional challenges. His legacy as a pioneer in the global resort and casino industries continues to inspire, with his innovations shaping the modern concept of land-based casinos in Africa and globally. At Women in Gaming Africa, we felt it important to honour an African pioneer of the industry, as part of our celebration of men in the industry during Men’s Month. #MiGAfrica #MeninGamingAfrica #Top50 #Influential #SouthAfrica #iGaming #Sportsbook #Gambling #Regulator #WiGAfrica #iGamingAfrika

Women in Gaming Africa presents the inaugural TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming, Africa 2024! 🏆 As part of our unwavering commitment to championing diversity, innovation, and collaboration within the African gaming industry, Women in Gaming Africa, in partnership with iGaming AFRIKA, proudly unveils the TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming List for 2024.✨ This milestone initiative has recognised and celebrated the visionaries, trailblazers, and advocates who are redefining the gaming landscape across the continent. Guided by a distinguished panel of 13 anonymous judges, each representing a diverse cross-section of expertise from Africa's gaming and tech sectors and beyond, over 250 nominees were carefully reviewed. Candidates were assessed against rigorous criteria highlighting impact, influence, innovation, and dedication to advancing the industry. As our final crescendo, concluding 2024's TOP 50, it is fitting to end this list with a nod to Martin Moshal. The online gaming industry's evolution owes much to his groundbreaking innovations dating back to 1994, which continue to inspire and shape the industry's future today. Martin Moshal, born in Durban, South Africa, is a trailblazer in the online casino industry and the visionary behind Microgaming, now Apricot, the company credited with creating the world’s first online casino software in 1994. Known as “The Microgaming Man,” Martin’s innovations revolutionised online gambling, with games like Cash Splash pioneering progressive jackpots and setting industry standards. Martin is also a dedicated philanthropist. He founded The Moshal Scholarship Program, which supports underprivileged students pursuing STEM education. This program reflects Martin's own experiences and passion for fostering talent in fields critical to innovation and progress. While he shies away from the spotlight, Martin’s influence in gaming, philanthropy, and politics continues to leave a lasting impact on the industry and Africa at large. A true legend in our eyes! Congratulations to the incredible leaders who are paving the way for the future of gaming in Africa! Your visionary leadership, innovative contributions, and unwavering dedication are not only shaping the industry today but also inspiring the next generation of trailblazers. 👏 #MiGAfrica #MeninGamingAfrica #Top50 #Influential #SouthAfrica #iGaming #Sportsbook #Gambling #Regulator #WiGAfrica #iGamingAfrika

Women in Gaming Africa presents the inaugural TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming, Africa 2024! 🏆 As part of our commitment to fostering diversity, innovation, and collaboration within the African gaming industry, Women in Gaming Africa, in partnership with iGaming AFRIKA, is thrilled to unveil our first-ever TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming List for 2024. This groundbreaking initiative celebrates the visionary leaders, game-changers, and advocates shaping the industry across the continent.✨ Our distinguished panel of 13 anonymous judges, representing a cross-section of expertise from the gaming and tech sectors throughout Africa and further afield, reviewed over 250 nominees. Each judge assessed candidates based on criteria that reflect their impact, influence, innovation & dedication to advancing the industry. Step forward Top 50 recipient: Tumaini Maligana 🇹🇿 is the Country Manager at Neo Group. He has over 8 years of experience in the Gaming & Entertainment industry and has honed his expertise across Live Casinos, Slot Shops, and Sports Betting. A graduate in Computer Sciences, Tumaini combines his technical knowledge with a strategic mindset to drive business growth and operational excellence. As a self-starter, Tumaini has played a key role in startups, including founding Alpha Digital Support in 2020, a customer support company that quickly achieved remarkable growth by prioritising kindness and professionalism. Currently, he oversees the delivery of quality services to meet both client needs and company goals while aligning business models with local trends and competition. Tumaini’s leadership shines in high-pressure situations, earning him a reputation as a calm and reliable senior manager. He has successfully navigated challenges such as managing workforce transitions and government regulatory pressures, particularly during his tenure at Parimatch, where he drove market penetration in Tanzania through innovative affiliate programs. Tumaini is highly skilled in managing casino, retail, agent, and online operations, making him a trusted leader in the region. His ability to foster collaboration and solve challenges has gained him the trust of colleagues and senior peers alike. Stay tuned as we reveal this year's honourees; leaders who are paving the way for the future of gaming in Africa! 👏 #MiGAfrica #MeninGamingAfrica #Top50 #Influential #Tanzania #iGaming #Sportsbook #Gambling #Regulator #WiGAfrica #iGamingAfrika

Women in Gaming Africa presents the inaugural TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming, Africa 2024! 🏆 As part of our commitment to fostering diversity, innovation, and collaboration within the African gaming industry, Women in Gaming Africa, in partnership with iGaming AFRIKA, is thrilled to unveil our first-ever TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming List for 2024. This groundbreaking initiative celebrates the visionary leaders, game-changers, and advocates shaping the industry across the continent.✨ Our distinguished panel of 13 anonymous judges, representing a cross-section of expertise from the gaming and tech sectors throughout Africa and further afield, reviewed over 250 nominees. Each judge assessed candidates based on criteria that reflect their impact, influence, innovation & dedication to advancing the industry. Step forward Top 50 recipient: Mark Schmidt 🇿🇦 is the Head of Sales - Africa at EveryMatrix. With over 15 years of experience in the sports betting and gaming industry, Mark is a seasoned expert in driving business growth across the African continent. He continues to lead the charge in expanding innovative solutions for operators in one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets. Mark has played a pivotal role in bringing major global gaming brands to Africa. Previously, he held leadership positions at Sportingtech, as well as at IMG ARENA, Sportradar, and Pronet Gaming, and Hollywoodbets. Known for building strong partnerships and delivering tailored solutions, Mark’s experience and dedication make him a trusted figure in the industry. His work has consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing the African gaming sector and empowering operators with cutting-edge platforms and strategies. Further to his work-based activities, Mark has proven to be an advocate for men's mental health. In light of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, it is fitting to honour Mark & his openness about the struggles faced by many men, within and beyond the industry. Stay tuned as we reveal this year's honourees; leaders who are paving the way for the future of gaming in Africa! 👏 #MiGAfrica #MeninGamingAfrica #Top50 #Influential #SouthAfrica #iGaming #Sportsbook #Gambling #Regulator #WiGAfrica #iGamingAfrika

Women in Gaming Africa presents the inaugural TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming, Africa 2024! 🏆 As part of our commitment to fostering diversity, innovation, and collaboration within the African gaming industry, Women in Gaming Africa, in partnership with iGaming AFRIKA, is thrilled to unveil our first-ever TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming List for 2024. This groundbreaking initiative celebrates the visionary leaders, game-changers, and advocates shaping the industry across the continent.✨ Our distinguished panel of 13 anonymous judges, representing a cross-section of expertise from the gaming and tech sectors throughout Africa and further afield, reviewed over 250 nominees. Each judge assessed candidates based on criteria that reflect their impact, influence, innovation & dedication to advancing the industry. Step forward Top 50 recipient: Ronald Karauri 🇰🇪 is the CEO of SportPesa, a leading global gaming brand renowned for its innovation and community involvement across three continents. Under his leadership, SportPesa has expanded operations into six countries, with plans for further growth. The company is committed to using the power of sports to connect people, fund clubs, and create opportunities, with a particular focus on sustainable growth in Kenyan sports. Ronald had a successful 11-year career as a pilot at Kenya Airways, rising from co-pilot to captain of the airline’s largest planes, before taking the leap into the gaming industry. Ronald’s bold decision to invest in SportPesa early on has paid off, with the company securing multi-million-dollar sponsorship deals with English Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Everton. In 2023, he was ranked 22nd on the Choiseul 100 Africa - Economic Leaders of Tomorrow, reflecting his dedication to driving economic growth and community impact in Kenya and beyond. Stay tuned as we reveal this year's honourees; leaders who are paving the way for the future of gaming in Africa! 👏 #MiGAfrica #MeninGamingAfrica #Top50 #Influential #Kenya  #iGaming #Sportsbook #Gambling #Regulator #WiGAfrica #iGamingAfrika

Women in Gaming Africa presents the inaugural TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming, Africa 2024! 🏆 As part of our commitment to fostering diversity, innovation, and collaboration within the African gaming industry, Women in Gaming Africa, in partnership with iGaming AFRIKA, is thrilled to unveil our first-ever TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming List for 2024. This groundbreaking initiative celebrates the visionary leaders, game-changers, and advocates shaping the industry across the continent.✨ Our distinguished panel of 13 anonymous judges, representing a cross-section of expertise from the gaming and tech sectors throughout Africa and further afield, reviewed over 250 nominees. Each judge assessed candidates based on criteria that reflect their impact, influence, innovation & dedication to advancing the industry. Step forward Top 50 recipient: John Erastus 🇳🇦 brings over a decade of experience in the tertiary education sector, having held roles such as Student Support Coordinator and Faculty Manager, where he oversaw academic and financial administration. His leadership journey expanded into the gaming sector, serving as a Board Member of the Gambling Board of Namibia for three years before being appointed Acting CEO. In his role, John is dedicated to shaping and reforming the Namibian gaming industry, with a strong focus on responsible gambling initiatives. He is passionate about creating a well-regulated, harmonious industry that supports citizens’ free will to participate in gambling activities. A key part of his agenda is empowering youth participation in the gambling space, leveraging the sector to tackle unemployment and social challenges facing Namibia's youth. Through these efforts, John aims to foster a sustainable and inclusive gaming environment. Stay tuned as we reveal this year's honourees; leaders who are paving the way for the future of gaming in Africa! 👏 #MiGAfrica #MeninGamingAfrica #Top50 #Influential #Namibia #iGaming #Sportsbook #Gambling #Regulator #WiGAfrica #iGamingAfrika

Women in Gaming Africa presents the inaugural TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming, Africa 2024! 🏆 As part of our commitment to fostering diversity, innovation, and collaboration within the African gaming industry, Women in Gaming Africa, in partnership with iGaming AFRIKA, is thrilled to unveil our first-ever TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming List for 2024. This groundbreaking initiative celebrates the visionary leaders, game-changers, and advocates shaping the industry across the continent.✨ Our distinguished panel of 13 anonymous judges, representing a cross-section of expertise from the gaming and tech sectors throughout Africa and further afield, reviewed over 250 nominees. Each judge assessed candidates based on criteria that reflect their impact, influence, innovation & dedication to advancing the industry. Step forward Top 50 recipient: William Scott 🇿🇦 has over 20 years of international experience in the regulated gaming industry, specialising in lottery and online gaming. His extensive career spans strategic leadership, business development, corporate finance, and commercial operations, making him a recognised expert in the global gaming sector. Currently, he serves as a Non-Executive Director at ITHUBA Holdings (PTY) LTD, Africa's largest privately-owned lottery operator. Previously, William spent 15 years at GTECH (now IGT), holding roles such as Vice President of Corporate Development and Commercial Director. He was instrumental in major acquisitions and led over 100 lottery bids and partnerships globally, including projects in Turkey, Taiwan, and France. As an advisor and consultant, William provides strategic guidance to gaming operators and technology providers, leveraging his expertise in strategy, business development, and corporate finance to drive success across the gaming sector in Africa and beyond. Stay tuned as we reveal this year's honourees; leaders who are paving the way for the future of gaming in Africa! 👏 #MiGAfrica #MeninGamingAfrica #Top50 #Influential #SouthAfrica  #iGaming #Sportsbook #Gambling #Regulator #WiGAfrica #iGamingAfrika

Women in Gaming Africa presents the inaugural TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming, Africa 2024! 🏆 As part of our commitment to fostering diversity, innovation, and collaboration within the African gaming industry, Women in Gaming Africa, in partnership with iGaming AFRIKA, is thrilled to unveil our first-ever TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming List for 2024. This groundbreaking initiative celebrates the visionary leaders, game-changers, and advocates shaping the industry across the continent.✨ Our distinguished panel of 13 anonymous judges, representing a cross-section of expertise from the gaming and tech sectors throughout Africa and further afield, reviewed over 250 nominees. Each judge assessed candidates based on criteria that reflect their impact, influence, innovation & dedication to advancing the industry. Step forward Top 50 recipient: Quraish Behari 🇿🇦 is the CEO of Derivco, a global leader in online gaming software development, founded in Durban, South Africa in the 1990s, with the HQ still firmly on South African soil. With over 20 years of experience in the IT sector, Quraish joined Derivco in 2004 as a Senior Software Developer and quickly rose through the ranks, holding roles such as Software Architect and senior leadership positions before being appointed CEO in 2018. Having mastered the software development process from the ground up, Quraish brings a unique global perspective to navigating the demands of a tech-driven world. He is committed to driving innovation and maintaining Derivco’s competitive edge by leveraging cutting-edge technology and top-tier talent. Under his leadership, Derivco partners with local NPOs like CodeMakers to promote STEM education and nurture IT talent in South Africa, contributing to a more sustainable tech workforce. Stay tuned as we reveal this year's honourees; leaders who are paving the way for the future of gaming in Africa! 👏 #MiGAfrica #MeninGamingAfrica #Top50 #Influential #SouthAfrica  #iGaming #Sportsbook #Gambling #Regulator #WiGAfrica #iGamingAfrika

Women in Gaming Africa presents the inaugural TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming, Africa 2024! 🏆 As part of our commitment to fostering diversity, innovation, and collaboration within the African gaming industry, Women in Gaming Africa, in partnership with iGaming AFRIKA, is thrilled to unveil our first-ever TOP 50 Most Influential Men in Gaming List for 2024. This groundbreaking initiative celebrates the visionary leaders, game-changers, and advocates shaping the industry across the continent. ✨ Our distinguished panel of 13 anonymous judges, representing a cross-section of expertise from the gaming and tech sectors throughout Africa and further afield, reviewed over 250 nominees. Each judge assessed candidates based on criteria that reflect their impact, influence, innovation & dedication to advancing the industry. Step forward Top 50 recipient: Rupen Samani 🇰🇪 is a distinguished entrepreneur and executive with a proven track record in leadership across multiple industries. He is currently an Executive Board Member at Betika, one of Africa's leading sports betting platforms, and the Founder and CEO of Viva Global Ltd, a company specialising in importing and distributing beverages in Kenya. Rupen served as the CEO of Betika for six years, during which he significantly expanded the company's presence and influence across Africa. Under his leadership, Betika forged strategic partnerships, including its collaboration with Asante Kotoko, one of Ghana's most prominent football clubs. This partnership emphasised Betika’s commitment to supporting youth development and promoting sports, arts, and culture. In addition to his achievements in the gaming industry, Rupen was the owner of AMS Properties Ltd, where he demonstrated his expertise in real estate development and business growth. His ventures showcase a commitment to fostering innovation and creating opportunities for communities through sports, business, and development. Rupen's leadership and vision continue to shape the industries he works in, leaving a lasting impact on the gaming and business landscape in Africa and beyond. Stay tuned as we reveal this year's honourees; leaders who are paving the way for the future of gaming in Africa! 👏 #MiGAfrica #MeninGamingAfrica #Top50 #Influential #Kenya #iGaming #Sportsbook #Gambling #Regulator #WiGAfrica #iGamingAfrika