African Gaming Industry: A Statistical Overview

The African continent is home to approximately 200 million gamers, who collectively spend hundreds of millions of US dollars on video games, primarily through mobile platforms. According to the newly released Africa Games Industry Report, which was presented at Africa Games Week, the continent's gaming industry is characterized by a diverse range of cultural groups, languages, and ethnicities, presenting a unique opportunity for the development of new and innovative intellectual properties. The report, produced by Maliyo Games, a Nigeria-based studio, and Nordicity, aims to provide an overview of the industry landscape, audience demographics, and development trends, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing the African gaming industry. The study reveals that Africans spend an average of $6 per year on games, with the total in-app purchase spending across Sub-Saharan Africa reaching $778.6 million in 2022, accounting for 90% of all gaming revenue in the region. The report also highlights the growth potential of the African gaming market, with predictions suggesting that the continent's population could double by 2050, leading to an increase in buying power and consumer spending on gaming products. The survey of African game developers reveals that 78% of respondents are working on mobile games, while 70% are developing PC games, with only 18% focusing on console games. The report also notes that the African gaming industry is relatively young, with 63% of developers having less than five years of experience, and that the industry faces significant challenges in terms of funding, infrastructure, and access to markets. Despite these challenges, the report concludes that the African gaming industry has massive potential for economic, cultural, and social impact, and that it presents opportunities for youth employment, community building, and the creation of African-made intellectual properties that can be exported to a global audience.