ReportMaliyo Games
Africa Games Industry Report 2025
1 Jan 202572 pages~61 min full read
The African games industry is projected to exceed $1 billion in revenue in 2024, driven by a mobile-first market that generates nearly 90% of total sector earnings.
See it on page 26Nigeria has shown the most significant momentum in the region, with mobile revenues increasing fivefold since 2019, while South Africa remains the most lucrative individual market.
See it on page 20The developer ecosystem has grown to approximately 250 studios by 2024, with West Africa emerging as the primary hub after a fivefold increase in active studios over the past year.
See it on page 28Despite industry growth, over 50% of African developers currently earn no income from their work, and only 3% receive government funding.
See it on page 55The Middle East and Africa region is a global growth leader, maintaining an 8.9% year-on-year revenue increase despite the historical dominance of North American and Asian markets.
See it on page 11Structural challenges, specifically unstable power and limited high-speed internet access, remain critical barriers to scaling the industry from prototyping to commercial production.
See it on page 56International integration is increasing through partnerships with companies like Microsoft Xbox, Disney, and Gameloft, alongside the regional popularity of global titles such as Candy Crush and PUBG Mobile.
See it on page 12The African games industry is undergoing a period of rapid expansion, with total revenues projected to surpass $1 billion in 2024. This growth is primarily fueled by a mobile-first market that accounts for nearly 90% of the sector’s revenue, driven by a young, tech-savvy population and increasing smartphone penetration. While South Africa remains the most lucrative individual market, Nigeria has demonstrated the most significant momentum, with mobile revenues increasing fivefold since 2019. On a global scale, the Middle East and Africa region has emerged as a growth leader, maintaining an 8.9% year-on-year increase despite the historical dominance of North American and Asian markets.
The developer ecosystem has matured significantly, expanding from a handful of entities to approximately 250 studios by 2024. West Africa has emerged as the primary regional hub, experiencing a nearly fivefold increase in the number of active studios over the past year. Development is characterized by a youthful, male-majority demographic that favors the Unity engine to create entertainment-focused content for mobile platforms. High-profile international partnerships with brands like Microsoft Xbox, Disney, and Gameloft, alongside the success of global titles like Candy Crush and PUBG Mobile within the region, signal increasing integration into the global gaming economy.
Despite these advancements, the industry faces substantial structural and financial hurdles. Infrastructure remains a critical concern, as developers struggle with unstable power and high-speed internet access. Furthermore, a significant performance gap exists in funding and institutional support; only 3% of developers receive government funding, and over half of the continent's developers currently earn no income from their work. This has led to a trend of conservative, small-scale investment. To transition from early-stage prototyping to commercial acceleration, the sector requires a collaborative model focused on building talent pipelines, implementing rebate programs, and establishing localized payment methods to unlock the continent's full economic potential.
