African Gaming Study Reveals Preference for Offline, Free-to-Play Games

A recent study examining gaming habits in French-speaking African nations, including Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon, indicates a strong inclination towards free-to-play games in an Android-dominated market. The study found that over 80% of respondents across the three countries utilize Android devices, with Cameroon exhibiting the highest percentage at 96%. In contrast, Senegal has the highest number of iOS users, with 19% of respondents owning an iPhone. A significant majority of players, at 57%, prefer playing offline, with this tendency being most pronounced in Cameroon, where 66% of respondents play offline compared to 34% online. The study also revealed that over 40% of players have downloaded fewer than five games in the past year, while 28% have downloaded between five and ten games. In terms of spending habits, Côte d'Ivoire has the highest percentage of players who have spent money on a game, at 57%, followed by Cameroon at 52%, and Senegal at 40%. Mobile payment options are the preferred method of payment in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire, whereas in Senegal, players tend to use payment cards. The primary reason cited for not spending money on games is the lack of a bank card. The study also found that players prefer free-to-play game models, either with ads or with paid options, followed by subscription models and paid games without ads. The most popular games mentioned by respondents include EA Sports FC, Call of Duty, Free Fire, Ludo King, and Temple Run. A significant majority of respondents, over 60%, have never played a game developed in Africa, primarily due to a lack of awareness about African games. Adventure and sports games are the most popular genres in the three countries. The study, conducted by Game Hub Senegal, surveyed 785 people from July 21 to August 28, 2023, and had a predominantly male participation rate of roughly 80%. The report provides valuable insights into the gaming industry in West Africa and highlights the need for greater awareness and development of African games.