Teddy Kossoko: The Driving Force Behind Senegal

A significant investment of €300,000 has been announced for the establishment of a gaming hub in Senegal, marking a crucial milestone in the country's burgeoning gaming industry. This initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between Masseka, a Toulouse-based games studio, the French Embassy in Senegal, the General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship in Senegal, and Dakar-based studio Kayfo Games. The primary objective of this funding is to create a hybrid structure that combines an incubator and a development studio in the Senegalese capital, aiming to bolster the local gaming industry and position Senegal as a key player in the West African gaming landscape. Developers will be invited to participate in training programs at the new hub, commencing in September, with the goal of fostering a thriving ecosystem. The project is spearheaded by Teddy Kossoko, an engineer-turned-gaming entrepreneur who founded Masseka in 2018, focusing on African cultures and stories. Kossoko is also the mastermind behind Gara, a pioneering marketplace designed to distribute and monetize games across the African continent. Kossoko's journey in the gaming industry spans approximately nine years, during which he transitioned from working in the space industry to creating games that showcase African stories. His vision for the Dakar gaming hub is to establish a sustainable ecosystem that supports local game development, provides training and resources, and facilitates co-productions with international companies. The hub is expected to become a catalyst for growth, not only for the gaming industry in Senegal but also for the broader West African region. According to Kossoko, the key to success lies in building a robust ecosystem that encompasses game development, distribution, and education, ultimately creating a self-sustaining cycle. The French Embassy has expressed its support for the project, doubling the initial funding and providing a year and a half for the hub to demonstrate its potential. As Kossoko envisions, the hub will become an independent entity, employing local talent and driving the growth of the gaming industry in Senegal. The country currently boasts a nascent gaming industry, with a handful of indie studios and a vast pool of untapped talent. The hub aims to address the existing challenges, including the lack of infrastructure, funding, and government support, which have hindered the development of a thriving gaming ecosystem. By providing a platform for game development, distribution, and education, the hub is poised to unlock the vast potential of the African gaming market, which is rapidly gaining traction. As Kossoko emphasizes, the future of gaming in Africa is accelerating rapidly, with increasing interest and investment in the sector. However, to realize this potential, it is essential to build a sustainable ecosystem that supports local game development, provides opportunities for growth, and fosters collaboration between industry stakeholders. The Dakar gaming hub is a significant step in this direction, and its success is likely to have far-reaching implications for the African gaming industry as a whole.