Why Global Gaming Companies Should Expand into Africa’s Booming Market
Africa is growing in many ways, and one of them is the gaming industry. The youth demographic shows that 60% of Africa's population is under the age of 25. Yet, this fertile land for gaming companies remains largely untapped and in its infancy.
With increasing smartphone penetration, affordable internet access, and a youthful, tech-savvy population, Africa has the potential to become a major player in the global gaming ecosystem. According to a report by Games Industry Africa, "the number of gamers in Africa increased by 32 million in 2024, from 317 million to 349 million, representing a 10% year-over-year (YoY) increase." Additionally, the rise of e-sports and gaming communities in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana has created an enabling environment for both local and international players.
This article explores the top 10 gaming companies shaping Africa’s gaming industry and 10 global gaming giants that may consider expansion into the continent.
Top 10 Notable Gaming Companies in Africa
These companies are not only producing unique games rooted in African culture but are also influencing global perceptions of African storytelling and talent in the gaming space.
10. Kuluya (Nigeria)
Founded in 2012, Kuluya is a Nigerian gaming company that focuses on browser-based and mobile games inspired by African culture. The company quickly gained traction, amassing over 3 million users in its first year. Some of its most notable games include Oga @ The Top and Jungle Escape. Kuluya plays a key role in promoting African narratives in casual gaming.
9. Anubis Gaming (Egypt)
Established in 2015 by Youssef Mohsen, Anubis Gaming is one of Egypt’s pioneering esports organizations. Based in Cairo, the company is heavily involved in competitive gaming, particularly in titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and League of Legends. As one of the first professional esports teams in the MENA region, Anubis Gaming is laying the foundation for competitive gaming culture in Africa.
8. Gamr (Nigeria)
Founded by Kunmi Adenipebi in 2021, Gamr is a Nigerian company specializing in esports and gaming tournaments. Headquartered in Lagos, the platform brings gamers together to compete in various tournament-based games. It has quickly become one of Africa’s leading esports hubs, strengthening the continent’s competitive gaming ecosystem and global presence.
7. Gamsole (Nigeria)
Gamsole was founded in 2012 by Abiola Olaniran, a Nigerian entrepreneur passionate about mobile gaming. Specializing in hyper-casual games, the company has produced hits like Gidi Run and Okada Ride, which have collectively garnered over 10 million downloads across Microsoft and Android platforms. Gamsole plays a significant role in expanding mobile gaming accessibility across Africa.
6. Usiku Games (Kenya)
Usiku Games, founded in 2019 by Jay Shapiro, is a Kenyan gaming company focused on edutainment and social impact games. Based in Nairobi, it develops titles such as Mzito and Let This Not Happen, which aim to drive positive behavioral change. The company is committed to using gaming as a tool for social transformation and interactive storytelling.
5. Qene Games (Ethiopia)
Founded in 2017 by Dawit Abraham, Qene Games is Ethiopia’s first major gaming studio. Operating out of Addis Ababa, the company creates mobile and casual games such as Kukulu and Gebeta. Qene Games gained international recognition after winning the Best Entertainment App at the AppsAfrica Innovation Awards. The company plays a crucial role in showcasing Ethiopia’s creative potential in the gaming industry.
4. Celestial Games (South Africa)
Founded in 1994 by Nick McKenzie, Celestial Games is one of South Africa’s pioneering game development studios. The company gained recognition for its classic PC game Toxic Bunny and has played a key role in the growth of the African gaming industry. Known for developing games that blend humor, action, and engaging gameplay, Celestial Games has paved the way for future African studios. Today, the company focuses on the esports industry, with its primary development project, BAD (Battle Arena Drones).
3. Kiro’o Games (Cameroon)
Kiro’o Games, established in 2013 by Olivier Madiba, is Cameroon’s leading gaming company specializing in PC and console games inspired by African mythology. The studio’s flagship game, Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan, became the first Central African-developed game to be released on Steam. By blending African storytelling with RPG mechanics, Kiro’o Games is elevating African narratives in the gaming world.
2. Leti Arts (Ghana)
Founded in 2009 by Eyram Tawia, Leti Arts is a Ghanaian gaming studio that focuses on story-driven games based on African folklore. Headquartered in Accra, the company has produced games like Africa’s Legends and Ananse Chronicles. Leti Arts has been recognized by UNESCO for its contributions to preserving African heritage through gaming, integrating African history into modern digital storytelling.
1. Maliyo Games (Nigeria)
Founded in 2012 by Hugo Obi, Maliyo Games is one of Nigeria’s most well-known gaming studios, focusing on mobile and casual games inspired by African culture. Some of its standout games include Whot King and Aboki Run. The company launched the GameUp Africa initiative in partnership with Google to train African game developers, playing a crucial role in nurturing a new generation of African gaming talent. Maliyo Games also partnered with Disney and Kugali to develop "Iwájú: Rising Chef," a cooking-themed game.
Top 10 Global Gaming Companies That May Expand Into Africa
Given Africa’s rapid gaming market growth, these global companies could explore expansion strategies in the region. They could leverage localized pricing, strategic partnerships with African developers, infrastructure investments, and esports sponsorships to tap into Africa’s rising gaming ecosystem. Here’s a look at 10 global gaming powerhouses that may soon make their mark on the African market.
10. Valve Corporation (USA)
Valve Corporation, the developer of Half-Life, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike, operates the world’s largest PC gaming marketplace, Steam. With growing Steam adoption in North and South Africa, Valve has the potential to support African local game developers by providing infrastructure and regional payment options.
9. Square Enix (Japan)
Square Enix, renowned for RPG franchises like Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, could expand into Africa by collaborating with local studios to develop games inspired by African mythology, mirroring its strategy in the Asian market. Africa’s rich storytelling traditions align well with Square Enix’s narrative-driven approach.
8. Riot Games (USA)
Riot Games, the creator of League of Legends and Valorant, holds a dominant position in the esports industry. With the rise in esports participation in Africa, Riot Games could introduce dedicated servers, sponsor regional tournaments, and form partnerships with African esports organizations.
7. NetEase Games (China)
NetEase Games, known for Identity V and Knives Out, is a major player in the mobile gaming market. Given Africa’s mobile-first gaming culture, and in 2023, mobile gaming accounted for a significant portion of Africa's gaming revenue, with reports indicating that mobile gaming drove nearly 90% of the $1.8 billion gaming market, NetEase could establish regional gaming studios and monetization programs to cater to local audiences.
6. Epic Games (USA)
Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite and Unreal Engine, has the potential to drive Africa’s gaming industry forward. They've observed a rise in African player engagement over the years, with games like Fortnite resonating with the continent's growing esports scene, while Unreal Engine training programs could equip African developers with essential skills.
5. Nintendo (Japan)
Nintendo, the creator of Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon, could tap into Africa’s gaming habits with the affordability of the Nintendo Switch compared to the other consoles. Direct eShop access and African-themed game content could accelerate Nintendo’s regional presence. Launching Africa-specific bundles and partnering with local retailers will also increase penetration.
4. Sony Interactive Entertainment (Japan)
Sony, the producer of PlayStation consoles and franchises like God of War and Spider-Man, is witnessing rising console demand in Africa. Ahead of other companies, Sony has since branched into Africa, investing $6M in companies like Carry1st. Further expanding PlayStation Studios’ collaborations with more African developers would enhance more local content creation.
3. Activision Blizzard (USA)
With hit franchises like Call of Duty—one of Africa’s most played First-Person Shooter (FPS) games—and Overwatch, Activision Blizzard has the potential to strengthen Africa’s esports ecosystem. Introducing regional tournaments and cloud gaming solutions would make their games more accessible across the continent.
2. Electronic Arts (EA) (USA)
EA dominates the African market with FIFA, a franchise deeply established in the continent’s football culture. The company could further its presence by investing in African esports leagues and development hubs. A localized FIFA esports league could significantly boost player engagement across the continent.
1. Tencent Games (China)
Tencent, the world’s largest gaming company, owns PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, and a stake in several major gaming firms. Africa’s mobile-first gaming audience makes it a prime market for Tencent to launch localized versions of its popular games and invest in regional infrastructure. With its dominance in mobile gaming, Tencent could drive African expansion by forming partnerships with telecom companies to offer low-data gaming packages and localized payment solutions.
Merchant of Record: A Seamless Way to Expand into Africa
Africa’s gaming industry is on the rise, with homegrown companies setting the stage for global partnerships and investment. As mobile, console, and esports gaming expand, global gaming giants must consider strategic investments in Africa to tap into the region’s growing gaming potential. The next decade may see Africa become a major player in the global gaming ecosystem.
This is why more companies need to expand into Africa—and why solutions like Kyshi’s Merchant of Record (MoR) services can help them do so seamlessly.
Imagine expanding into Africa without the burden of regulatory hurdles, bureaucratic inefficiencies, infrastructure gaps, language barriers, currency conversions, and compliance complexities. That’s what Kyshi solves.
Kyshi can help with:
Simplified Market Entry – An MoR service like Kyshi’s handles local tax compliance, invoicing, FX conversions, and payments without requiring a local entity—allowing businesses to go live in hours.
Localized Payments – Kyshi enables businesses to receive payments from customers in African local currencies using familiar payment methods while settling funds in the preferred currency across 100+ destinations worldwide.
Regulatory Compliance – Navigating tax compliance, data protection, and cross-border financial rules is complex, but with an MoR partner like Kyshi, businesses can ensure seamless operations within Africa’s regulatory frameworks.
Enhanced User Experience – Fast, secure, and locally trusted payment methods help businesses build customer trust and increase conversion rates.
At Kyshi, we’re more than just a cross-border service provider—we’re “Your Global Payment Partner for Africa.”
If you're ready to expand into Africa seamlessly, visit www.kyshi.co to learn more.