Unlocking Africa's Gaming Potential: Bringing the World to the Continent

Africa Games Week has established itself as a premier destination for gamers and game developers across the continent. The event's sixth edition, held in December, drew over 1,980 attendees to Cape Town, with 360 companies and 93 speakers participating. The conference showcased over 250 African games, highlighting the region's untapped potential. Co-founder Nick Hall envisions Africa Games Week as a platform for African game developers to access the international market, addressing the challenges of geographical isolation and logistical hurdles. The event's success has been built on its ability to provide meaningful connections and genuine conversations between attendees, with a focus on representing and celebrating game professionals from across Africa. While the South African gaming industry has seen significant growth, with a varied ecosystem and notable successes, Hall expresses concern about stagnation and the need for new entrants. The industry faces challenges such as limited access to funding, brain drain, and competition from other industries. To address these issues, Hall emphasizes the need for more entrepreneurs to open businesses and for existing companies to scale. Africa Games Week aims to be a springboard for African nations, with 25 of the 54 nations represented, and the co-founders aspire to expand the event to include more countries and host additional events, such as a consumer show.