Maliyo Games

GameUp Africa’s five‑year impact report documents the transformation of a 2021 bootcamp into the continent’s largest game developer training ecosystem. Over five years, more than 6,000 applicants from 40+ countries entered the programme; 161 games were published and a mentor network of 80 professionals from global firms such as Xbox, EA, Disney Games and IGDA was established. Nigerian applicants dominate at 36 %, followed by Kenya (28 %) and growing participation from Ivory Coast, Angola and Rwanda. The cohort profile is highly inclusive: 77 % of applicants are under 30, 65 % have no prior industry experience and only 36 % had shipped a game before applying. Female participation rose from roughly 16 % in early cohorts to 25 % by 2025.

In 2024, 246 learners were accepted; 51 published on Itch.io and 59 graduated with portfolios. The following year, 225 learners were enrolled from 436 applicants, producing 41 portfolio‑ready graduates. A new 12‑week Elite Externship launched in 2025 attracted 141 applicants from 25 countries; 13 were selected, producing 3 live‑shipped games and boosting participants’ professional confidence from 67 % to 89 %.

The report outlines a strategic shift away from annual cohorts toward an always‑on, modular platform that blends self‑paced learning with monthly facilitated tracks. AI tools will be integrated across the development pipeline, and a structured skills tree will link learning outcomes to nano‑credentials from Arizona State University and the Endless Games and Learning Lab. Planned campus‑embedded hubs will provide hardware, power and internet within tertiary institutions to foster local talent clusters.

Key conclusions emphasize that opportunity is scarce, mentorship multiplies progress, and inclusion requires redesigning systems. The next phase positions GameUp Africa 2.0 as a gateway to the global digital economy, offering talent directories, game jams, incubation tracks and partnership‑driven scaling.

The 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.

The Africa Games Industry Report 2024 presents a data‑driven assessment of the continent’s gaming ecosystem, targeting investors, policymakers, developers and the broader public. It argues that Africa’s youthful demographics, rapid mobile penetration and cultural diversity create a fertile environment for game development and monetisation. The report identifies fre‑to‑play with in‑app purchases as the dominant revenue model, while premium titles, ad‑based income, subscriptions and licensing remain viable alternatives for developers willing to overcome higher entry barriers.

Key findings show that the Sub‑Saharan gamer base has more than doubled from 77 million in 2015 to 186 million in 2021, with mobile gaming accounting for 95 % of players and nearly 90 % of the region’s $778.6 million revenue in 2022. Approximately one‑third of players make in‑app purchases, underscoring significant monetisation potential. The industry is largely composed of small to medium studios and solo developers, with Unity the preferred engine and mobile/PC platforms dominating. Yet only 36 % of respondents earn income from games, and infrastructure challenges—unreliable power (71 %) and costly internet (57 %)—continue to impede growth.

The report calls for coordinated action from investors, studios, policymakers and the public. It highlights mobile network operators and alternative payment systems as critical partners for expanding reach, while outlining a five‑factor ecosystem—reliable infrastructure, talent pathways, informed investors, connected industry and evidence of success—to unlock high‑value jobs, cultural exports and foreign investment. The overarching thesis is that Africa’s gaming sector is poised for rapid expansion, offering substantial economic and creative opportunities if these systemic barriers are addressed.