In Africa, video gaming is gaining popularity at an alarming rate. Some of the variables that contribute to this include the continent’s large young population (Africa is the area with the highest rise in youth population) and worldwide lockdown policies, which are among the most restrictive.
The gaming business in Africa is expected to increase by 12 percent through 2026, with nations such as Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda ranking among the region’s top game creators.
According to the World Bank, more than 70% of young people (aged 18 to 26) in South Africa have spent money on games in 2018, and they spent a total of $210 million on gaming in the year 2019.
The number of players in Africa who use mobile devices has increased from 1.2 billion to 1.75 billion each month in the first quarter of 2020, an increase from 1.2 billion in the previous quarter. Consumers spent more than $19 billion on mobile games in the second quarter of 2020, according to the NPD Group.
Markets having the most potential for growth
Markets in Africa have had consistent growth in recent years, particularly when it comes to online and mobile gaming, which are becoming more popular owing to their better accessibility and reduced prices. Let’s take a look at some of the most promising online gaming industries in Africa that are currently experiencing growth.
Egypt
The Egyptian video gaming industry surpassed all other markets in Africa in 2018, generating $293 million in sales despite a number of difficult entry obstacles such as high console pricing and sluggish internet connections. In addition, the nation boasts the greatest concentration of gamers in the MENA area (North Africa and the Middle East), with 68 percent of its adult population playing games, and 58 percent of those using a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet to play them.
In addition, esports are becoming more popular in the nation, thanks to the proliferation of broadcasting sites such as YouTube, Twitch, and the relatively new Facebook Gaming.
Republic of South Africa
Video game sales in South Africa have had one of the most dramatic increases on the continent, and it is likely to continue growing at a rapid pace going forward. The entire revenue earned in 2017 was over $200 million, and by the following year, it had increased by 15%, reaching more than $400 million in revenue.
Aside from traditional gambling, the popularity of online casino games is on the increase. Despite the fact that it is unlawful to run an online casino in South Africa, the law does not prevent participating in internet gambling as a participant. Not only can players participate in the games, but they can also take advantage of some incredible opportunities, such as choosing an online no deposit casino – an operator that allows them to participate in the games without having to deposit any real money in advance – and this is just one of the benefits of doing so.
Morocco
It is estimated that there are more than one million active video game players in Morocco, as well as over four million occasional gamers. A total of $129 million in income was created by the country’s video gaming sector during the calendar year 2018 alone, and the business has been steadily growing since then. Numerous players are well-versed in modern technologies, and they often participate in Discord servers or Facebook groups in order to contact with other like-minded individuals. Fortnite, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) are some of the most popular games among Moroccan gamers.
The most pressing problem that Moroccan gamers are dealing with is one of finances. In the United States, gaming consoles and equipment, as well as high-performance computers, are offered at exorbitant costs – often far more than in other areas of the globe. Perhaps the advent of cloud gaming will encourage people to engage in these activities on a more frequent basis.
Nigeria
The gaming sector in Nigeria generated $122 million in revenue in 2018, and it is expected to grow more in the future. One of the factors contributing to its expansion is the fact that 43 percent of Nigeria’s population actively utilizes the Internet, as reported by the World Bank. A large number of Nigerians are ardent users of technology, and the government is now focusing on adopting cashless payments in rural regions. In addition, Nigerians are very enthusiastic about sports, which has resulted in a significant demand for online sports betting in addition to traditional video gambling. Online wagering is permitted for inhabitants of the nation, and there are several sports betting sites available for their enjoyment.
A thriving Nigerian market is anticipated in the future, particularly if the government puts up the necessary effort to create an organized environment and to prevent rogue websites that do not pay taxes.