Unpacking the African Games Industry by the Numbers

The African continent is home to nearly 200 million gamers, with hundreds of millions of dollars spent on video games annually, primarily through mobile platforms. According to the newly released Africa Games Industry Report, which was made available following Africa Games Week, the region offers a vast and diverse market with significant opportunities for growth. Produced by Maliyo Games, a studio based in Nigeria, the report provides an in-depth look at the industry landscape, audience demographics, and the potential for expansion within the global games market. The study was presented at Africa Games Week by Maliyo Games' CEO, Hugo Obi, and Kristian Roberts, CEO of Nordicity, a company that contributed to the report's creation. Obi explained that the decision to produce the report was driven by multiple factors, including the need to better articulate the industry's scope and opportunities to investors, policymakers, and the general public. Roberts emphasized that the Middle East and Africa combined account for only 4% of global games revenue, highlighting the massive potential for growth in the African market. The report showcases the rich cultural diversity across the continent, with over 3,000 ethnic groups and more than 2,000 languages spoken, presenting a unique opportunity for the development of new and unique intellectual properties. The team behind the report aimed to make it accessible and easy to understand, not just for industry professionals but also for the general public, to help shift perceptions about the video games industry. The report highlights the challenges faced by investors in understanding the revenue potential and key players in the African games industry, aiming to fill this knowledge gap. A 2023 report by Newzoo found that Africans spend an average of $6 per year on games, primarily through in-app purchases on mobile devices. The total spending on games in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to exceed $1 billion for the first time in 2024, with the region's gaming population increasing significantly since 2015. The Africa Games Industry Report provides insights into the player population across the continent's five largest markets: Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Ghana. The report also touches on the unique qualities and challenges of the combined African markets, including the continent's young population, with a median age of 19.7 years, and the predictions of significant population growth in the decades to come. The African games industry is expected to continue growing, with the market expanding in buying power for various consumer products, including video games. The report includes the results of the Africa Game Developer Survey, which, although based on a relatively small sample, offers valuable insights into the industry. For example, most surveyed developers work on mobile games, with 70% also developing PC games. The survey highlights the financial struggles faced by African developers, with only 59% having secured external investment and 57% raising less than $100,000. The report concludes by emphasizing the massive potential for economic, cultural, and social impact of the games industry across Africa, with opportunities for youth employment, community building, and the creation of African-made stories for global audiences.