ReportGames Industry Africa
Africa Games Industry Report
1 Mar 202472 pages~55 min full read
The African gaming market is a high-growth mobile-first sector, with the player base expanding from 77 million in 2015 to 186 million in 2021 and annual revenues projected to exceed $1 billion by 2024.
Infrastructure instability remains the primary barrier to professionalization, with 60% of industry participants identifying poor power supply and high internet costs as critical obstacles to growth.
The industry is currently in a nascent, hobbyist-dominated state where 59% of developers have never secured external investment and only 36% earn a full-time living from their work.
Development is heavily centralized around the Unity engine, which is used by 64% of the market to produce mobile-focused content, mirroring global trends in mobile gaming.
While the market is largely fragmented, high-profile activity such as Carry1st’s $27 million funding round and GBarena’s $15 million acquisition of Galactech indicates emerging investor confidence.
Growth is geographically concentrated in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, where a young demographic is increasingly incorporating local cultural themes into digital entertainment.
Government support for the sector is minimal, currently reaching only 3% of industry participants, highlighting a significant gap in the institutional framework required for market maturity.
The African video games industry represents a rapidly expanding mobile-first frontier, characterized by a player population that surged from 77 million in 2015 to 186 million in 2021. With annual revenues projected to surpass $1 billion by 2024, the continent is positioning itself to replicate the success of other emerging markets like Brazil and India. Growth is currently concentrated in regional hubs across South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, where a young demographic is increasingly integrating local cultural themes into digital entertainment. This evolution is supported by a complex value chain where mobile gaming accounts for the vast majority of engagement, mirroring global trends where mobile platforms generate over $92 billion in annual revenue.
Despite this potential, the ecosystem remains in a nascent stage, with 63% of studios operating for five years or less and 59% of developers never having secured external investment. While high-profile deals such as Carry1st’s $27 million funding round and GBarena’s $15 million acquisition of Galactech signal growing investor confidence, the broader market is still dominated by hobbyists. Only 36% of developers currently earn a living from their work, and over half of those rely exclusively on domestic revenue. Technical development is heavily centralized around the Unity engine, which is utilized by 64% of the market, reflecting the industry's focus on accessible mobile content.
Significant structural barriers continue to impede the transition from a hobbyist community to a professionalized global competitor. Infrastructure deficits are the primary concern, with 60% of industry participants citing poor power supply and high internet costs as critical obstacles. Furthermore, government support is nearly non-existent, currently reaching only 3% of the sector. To achieve sustainable maturity, the industry requires a coordinated effort to stabilize infrastructure, formalize talent pipelines, and attract informed investors who understand the unique dynamics of the African market. Addressing these catalysts is essential for transforming local creative potential into a robust, revenue-generating economic sector.
