Africa’s Gaming Market Expected To Reach $1bn in 2024

Africa’s Gaming Market Expected To Reach $1bn in 2024

The sub-Saharan African gaming industry is expected to generate over $1 billion for the first time in 2024, according to data from research firm Newzoo

Gamers in sub-Saharan Africa increased to 186 million in 2021 from 77 million in 2015, per data from Newzoo, with 95% of the market on mobile phones, reflecting the continent’s improved internet access and affordable smartphones.

In 2022, games sold in the region generated $862.8 million in revenue, up 8.7% year over year, according to Newzoo’s data. That’s in defiance of a broader contraction, with the global games market declining 4.3% in 2022 to $182.9 billion. The majority of the revenue came from mobile games, which accounted for 90% of the region’s total video game sales in 2022.

Esports in Africa has grown rapidly due to improved access to high-speed internet and gaming technology that enables gamers to interact and compete online, as well as broadcast their gameplay to a larger audience.

Another driver of esport growth in Africa is the rising number of local and international tournaments hosted on the continent, particularly in South Africa. These events not only offer a chance for gamers to demonstrate their abilities and compete for prizes, but also help to create a sense of community and bring together players from different regions of the continent.

Nigeria became the top video gaming market in Africa in 2022, overtaking South Africa by a small margin. Nigeria raked in $249m from gaming activities, while South Africa earned $236m.

The other top performers in Africa were Kenya ($46m), Ethiopia ($42m), and Ghana ($34m). Ethiopia had the fastest growth rate of 13%, while Uganda lagged behind with only 6%.

The combined revenue of Nigeria and South Africa was twice as much as that of the other eight leading countries together, highlighting the relative maturity of these markets when compared with the rest of the continent.

The gaming industry in Africa has promising growth prospects. According to GSMA, the global trade association for mobile operators, smartphone ownership in sub-Saharan Africa will rise from 51% in 2022 to 88% in 2030, giving more people access to online gaming platforms. Additionally, rapid urbanisation and rising incomes of African consumers will likely boost the market for consoles, which are currently scarce and expensive in many African countries.

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