Sylvia Duruson
The African gaming industry is on the cusp of a remarkable transformation, with a new report from Geopoll and the Pan Africa Gaming Group (PAGG) shedding light on the evolving player preferences and behavior across the continent. The findings from this extensive player-focused research, which surveyed over 2,500 gamers in Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa, paint a compelling picture of the industry’s promising future.
According to a recent macro view report by NewZoo, the African Gaming Industry is poised to exceed $1 Billion for the first time in 2024. The insights from the Geopoll and PAGG report, combined with this industry-wide forecast, underscore the growing significance of gaming in Africa.
Geopoll, the leading mobile-based research agency in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, collaborated with PAGG, the largest network of independent game development studios across the continent, to collect and quantify these valuable player insights. The report unveils several compelling trends, including the fact that 92% of gamers surveyed play on mobile devices, 32% engage in gaming for three or more hours daily, and 62% have purchased games or made in-game purchases.
“In our groundbreaking ‘Gaming in Africa Survey’ conducted across Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, we’ve uncovered fascinating trends that highlight the rapid growth and unique dynamics of the gaming sector on the continent,” said John Murunga, GeoPoll’s Regional Director for Africa. “The insights from this survey not only emphasize the widespread appeal of gaming as a form of entertainment but also sheds light on the potential for gaming to become a powerful medium for cultural expression and community building in Africa.”
With Africa boasting more internet-connected smartphones than the USA, Canada, and Mexico combined, and the world’s largest population of digital-native youth, the continent is poised to transform the global gaming landscape. Jay Shapiro, Chairperson of PAGG, emphasizes the importance of this data, stating, “The potential for growth in the African Gaming industry is undeniable. However, securing the investments required to achieve that growth, in the absence of solid market data, is rightly a struggle. This report shows the true potential of the continent’s billion youth to find, play, and purchase locally relevant games.”
As the African gaming industry continues to evolve, the insights provided by the Geopoll and PAGG report will be instrumental in guiding strategic investments, content creation, and the overall development of this rapidly expanding sector. The future of gaming in Africa is bright, and this groundbreaking research is a testament to the continent’s immense potential.
