Video game developers cash in on Africa’s booming mobile market

Two participants play a popular game, with fish visible in a tank in the background, at Africa Games Week, an event to bring African game developers, companies, consumers and enthusiasts together, for opportunities to network, show off new games and technology, do business and play games, next to the Two Oceans Aquarium, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town. — Photos: AFP

CAPE TOWN: Two manga-like avatars lock swords against a comic strip backdrop, as Alexander Poone explains the different worlds of The Traveller – a video game based on a graphic novel.

The 27-year-old from Johannesburg is showcasing his creation at the annual Africa Games Week taking place in Cape Town.

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Two participants play a popular game, with fish visible in a tank in the background, at Africa Games Week, an event to bring African game developers, companies, consumers and enthusiasts together, for opportunities to network, show off new games and technology, do business and play games, next to the Two Oceans Aquarium, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town. — Photos: AFP

Africa has seen a gaming boom in recent years, with users in sub-Saharan Africa increasing to 186 million in 2021 from 77 million in 2015, according to a study by game analytics company Newzoo.

Kossoko, who founded Masseka Game Studio based in Europe and creates games telling stories of African cultures and history, is highly optimistic despite lacking resources to train African youngsters to become professional gamers.

Hall said a lot of publishers say they want African-made content. He predicts that Africa could reach one billion users in the next five years.

Participants interact at Africa Games Week, an event to bring African game developers, companies, consumers and enthusiasts together, for opportunities to network, show off new games and technology, do business and play games, with fish visible in a tank in the background, in the Two Oceans Aquarium, on February 23, 2022, in Cape Town.

Glen Gillis (left) of Sea Monster Entertainment, talks to Jay Shapiro of Isuku Games in Kenya, at Africa Games Week, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town.

A participant plays a popular game, with fish visible in a tank in the background, at Africa Games Week, next to the Two Oceans Aquarium, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town. South Africa is by far the continent’s largest gaming market with 40% of its population playing, followed by Ghana and Nigeria. And a lot more are upcoming.

Poone, a comic artist and gaming animator, said most of the games on the African market are from America, Europe and Japan, but African content is negligible.

A participant draws a character on a computer screen at Africa Games Week, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town.

Chloe Geraghty, online streamer and gamer, at Africa Games Week, in the Two Oceans Aquarium, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town.

Samuel 'Samplayze' Khosa, online streamer and gamer from Soweto, talks about gaming at Africa Games Week.

Participants interact at Africa Games Week. Organisers of the continent’s largest gathering of game developers aim to help the gaming industry meet demand for African-made content and boost the potential of local talent.

Topic:

Video games Africa Internet Mobile apps Smartphones

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Symbol	Open	High	Low	Last	Chg	%Chg	Vol ('00)
HSI-CWEQ	0.165	0.165	0.145	0.145	-0.020	-12.12	1,364,557
HSI-CWEH	0.225	0.225	0.210	0.210	-0.015	-6.67	1,236,585
HSI-CWGA	0.120	0.120	0.100	0.105	-0.015	-12.50	712,237
MYEG	0.925	0.945	0.920	0.945	0.015	1.61	641,524
HSI-PWFI	0.110	0.115	0.110	0.115	0.005	4.55	464,858
HSI-PWFS	0.105	0.105	0.100	0.105	0.000	0.00	445,535
HSI-PWHB	0.085	0.090	0.085	0.085	0.000	0.00	444,509
TANCO	1.000	1.030	1.000	1.030	0.030	3.00	394,194
GAMUDA	4.750	4.790	4.720	4.770	0.030	0.63	279,786
HSI-CWC6	0.215	0.220	0.195	0.195	-0.020	-9.30	266,154
KPJ	2.780	2.810	2.750	2.750	-0.030	-1.08	252,777
SAG	0.695	0.720	0.685	0.710	0.010	1.43	228,050
YINSON	2.100	2.390	2.090	2.340	0.240	11.43	227,720
SEACERA	0.055	0.060	0.030	0.035	-0.030	-46.15	214,841
YTL	2.030	2.060	1.980	2.050	0.020	0.99	210,229

Video game developers cash in on Africa’s booming mobile market

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Monthly Plan

Annual Plan

1 month

Africa has seen a gaming boom in recent years, with users in sub-Saharan Africa increasing to 186 million in 2021 from 77 million in 2015, according to a study by game analytics company Newzoo.

Kossoko, who founded Masseka Game Studio based in Europe and creates games telling stories of African cultures and history, is highly optimistic despite lacking resources to train African youngsters to become professional gamers.

Hall said a lot of publishers say they want African-made content. He predicts that Africa could reach one billion users in the next five years.

Glen Gillis (left) of Sea Monster Entertainment, talks to Jay Shapiro of Isuku Games in Kenya, at Africa Games Week, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town.

Poone, a comic artist and gaming animator, said most of the games on the African market are from America, Europe and Japan, but African content is negligible.

A participant draws a character on a computer screen at Africa Games Week, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town.

Chloe Geraghty, online streamer and gamer, at Africa Games Week, in the Two Oceans Aquarium, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town.

Samuel 'Samplayze' Khosa, online streamer and gamer from Soweto, talks about gaming at Africa Games Week.

Participants interact at Africa Games Week. Organisers of the continent’s largest gathering of game developers aim to help the gaming industry meet demand for African-made content and boost the potential of local talent.

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Video game developers cash in on Africa’s booming mobile market

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Unlock 30% Savings on Ad-Free Access Now!

Monthly Plan

Annual Plan

1 month

Africa has seen a gaming boom in recent years, with users in sub-Saharan Africa increasing to 186 million in 2021 from 77 million in 2015, according to a study by game analytics company Newzoo.

Kossoko, who founded Masseka Game Studio based in Europe and creates games telling stories of African cultures and history, is highly optimistic despite lacking resources to train African youngsters to become professional gamers.

Hall said a lot of publishers say they want African-made content. He predicts that Africa could reach one billion users in the next five years.

Glen Gillis (left) of Sea Monster Entertainment, talks to Jay Shapiro of Isuku Games in Kenya, at Africa Games Week, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town.

Poone, a comic artist and gaming animator, said most of the games on the African market are from America, Europe and Japan, but African content is negligible.

A participant draws a character on a computer screen at Africa Games Week, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town.

Chloe Geraghty, online streamer and gamer, at Africa Games Week, in the Two Oceans Aquarium, on Feb 23, 2022, in Cape Town.

Samuel 'Samplayze' Khosa, online streamer and gamer from Soweto, talks about gaming at Africa Games Week.

Participants interact at Africa Games Week. Organisers of the continent’s largest gathering of game developers aim to help the gaming industry meet demand for African-made content and boost the potential of local talent.

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