By Africa Links 24
Published on 2024-02-20 10:55:54
The African video game market has been experiencing rapid growth in recent years. A report commissioned by games analytics company Newzoo and Carry1st, a South African gaming platform, revealed that the number of gamers in sub-Saharan Africa has nearly tripled from 77 million in 2015 to 186 million in 2021. This surge in growth has largely been driven by the widespread adoption of mobile gaming, with 95% of gamers in the region playing on smartphones or tablets rather than traditional consoles or personal computers.
Carry1st CEO Cordel RobbinCoker believes that Africa is the future of gaming, citing the continent’s young and dynamic population and the increasing willingness of African gamers to invest in gaming experiences. This growing demand has resulted in a significant increase in gaming revenue in Africa, which reached $862.8 million in 2022, an 8.7% increase from the previous year. Mobile games accounted for 90% of the region’s total video game sales in 2022. Newzoo’s projections suggest that gaming revenue in Africa will surpass $1 billion for the first time in 2024, indicating a strengthening willingness to pay for gaming experiences across the continent.
According to the study, Nigeria emerged as the top video gaming market in Africa in 2022, surpassing South Africa by a narrow margin. Nigeria generated $249 million in gaming revenue, while South Africa earned $236 million. Other leading gaming markets in Africa included Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ghana, each contributing significant revenue to the continent’s video game industry. The study also highlighted the underdevelopment of the formal console market in Africa, with most gamers relying on local resellers that import devices from abroad.
The growth of the video game industry in Africa has caught the attention of global corporations, with Sony making significant investments to capitalize on the sector’s long-term potential. Sony Innovation Fund, the venture capital arm of Sony Corporation, announced a strategic investment in Carry1st as part of its initiative to support the growth of entertainment businesses in Africa. This partnership has the potential to open new opportunities for PlayStation in Africa, particularly in countries like Nigeria, Morocco, and Algeria, which have shown a growing appetite for console gaming.
Esports, or competitive video gaming, has also experienced rapid growth in Africa, driven by improved access to high-speed internet and gaming technology. The continent has seen an increase in local and international tournaments, prompting the emergence of a vibrant and passionate gaming community. Kenyan esports player and content creator Sylvia Gathoni, known as “Queen Arrow,” noted the need for a consistent tournament culture to attract investments from gaming companies and sponsors. As esports continues to gain traction in Africa, there is an opportunity to build a strong gaming community that can compete on a global scale.
Despite the promising growth of the video game industry in Africa, there are challenges that need to be addressed. The affordability of high-speed internet and the lack of recognition of gaming as a serious sport are major hurdles facing the industry. Additionally, many international video games lack local relevance in terms of characters and plot, limiting their adoption in the African market. To overcome these challenges, there is a need for increased awareness of the economic and social value of esports, as well as efforts to make gaming more inclusive and accessible.
Looking ahead, the future of the video game industry in Africa appears bright, with smartphones expected to play a significant role in paving the way for gaming and esports in the region. As the industry continues to evolve, addressing these challenges will be essential in unlocking the full potential of Africa’s burgeoning video game market.
