Unveiling the African Gaming Industry: A Statistical Analysis

The African continent is home to approximately 200 million gamers, with hundreds of millions of dollars spent on video games annually, predominantly on mobile platforms. According to the newly released Africa Games Industry Report, which was made available after Africa Games Week, the continent's gaming industry is characterized by a diverse audience and significant growth potential. The report, produced by Maliyo Games, a Nigeria-based studio, provides an overview of the industry landscape, audience demographics, and the opportunities that exist within the global gaming market. Maliyo Games' CEO, Hugo Obi, and Kristian Roberts, CEO of Nordicity, presented the report at Africa Games Week, highlighting the massive market potential for games in Africa. With the Middle East and Africa accounting for 4% of global gaming revenue, the report emphasizes the need for better understanding and articulation of the industry's opportunities and challenges. Obi noted that the report aims to make the industry more accessible and easier to understand, not only for professionals but also for the general public, to shift perceptions about video games. The report reveals that Africans spend an average of $6 per year on games, with in-app purchases on mobile games being the primary source of revenue. The total in-app spending across Sub-Saharan Africa is approximately $778.6 million, accounting for 90% of all gaming revenue in the region. South Africa has the highest average revenue per user at $12 per year, while other major markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Ethiopia, spend between $2 and $5 per user on average. The report also highlights the growth potential of the African gaming industry, with Sub-Saharan Africa expected to spend over $1 billion on games for the first time in 2024. The number of gamers in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased significantly, from 77 million in 2015 to 186 million in 2021, with 95% of gamers focusing on mobile games. The report also provides insights into the player population in the five largest markets, with Nigeria having the largest player base at 46.5 million, followed by South Africa at 23.9 million. The African gaming industry is characterized by a young population, with a median age of 19.7 years, and a diverse range of ethnic groups and languages. The report notes that while many Africans speak English and/or French, Swahili is the most widely spoken indigenous language, with 200 million speakers across Southern and Eastern Africa. The report also includes the results of the Africa Game Developer Survey, which reveals that 78% of developers are working on mobile games, while 70% are developing PC games. The survey also highlights the financial struggles faced by African developers, with only 59% having secured external investment for their projects, and 57% raising less than $100,000. The report concludes that the African gaming industry has significant potential for economic, cultural, and social impact, and that it is essential to address the challenges faced by developers, such as funding and infrastructure, to unlock this potential.