Africa has 406 million gamers. It generates less than a quarter of the region’s gaming revenue.
Africa has more than 400 million gamers. So why does it earn so little from them?
New Carry1st × Newzoo data shows Africa is home to 63.5% of the gamers in the Middle East & Africa region, but only 23.2% of its revenue. The audience is huge. The money hasn’t caught up.
The growth itself is impressive. In five years, Africa’s gamer base has more than doubled, and it’s growing faster than the global games market. Almost all of that growth is happening on mobile, because phones are the most accessible way in for most players.
But a big audience doesn’t automatically become a big market. A few things stand in the way:
- Hardware is expensive, so many players never move beyond a basic smartphone.
- Paying for games is still a new habit for many players.
- The local industry is young, with fewer established studios and less funding than in other regions.
- Payments are getting easier, but not every player can spend smoothly yet.
That is the opportunity too. As mobile payments improve and more local studios and esports organisations emerge, the gap between players and revenue can start to close. How fast it closes will also depend on clear licensing, sensible regulation and policies that support the industry instead of slowing it down.
Africa is not waiting to join the global gaming conversation. It is already one of its fastest-growing audiences. The next chapter is about building the market around it.
What do you think is the biggest barrier right now: payments, devices, funding, or regulation?
