Africa’s Gaming Market Hits $2.3bn, Pushed by Mobile Increase (SpielFabrique)

Mobile video games account for 87% of gaming in Africa, though the share of console and PC gaming is predicted to develop as {hardware} turns into extra reasonably priced and a center class extra open to pay-to-play fashions emerges.

Africa’s online game market generated greater than $2.29 billion in income in 2025, fueled largely by the rise of cell app-based video games. The figures come from a report printed on February 10 by recreation studio accelerator SpielFabrique and Xsolla, a fee options supplier for the gaming business.

The report, titled State of the Industry: African Video Game Report 2026, reveals that the market is rising at a median annual charge of 12.32%, properly above the worldwide common of seven.5%.

Egypt leads the continent with $368 million in income, adopted by Nigeria ($300 million), South Africa ($278 million), and Kenya ($46 million). As in lots of different sectors, gaming exercise is concentrated in main city facilities.

Mobile gaming is the principle development engine. About 87% of African avid gamers play on smartphones, making cell the dominant platform throughout the continent.

PC and console gaming are increasing however stay restricted to particular city segments and higher-income gamers. Virtual actuality (VR) and augmented actuality (AR) gaming stay marginal for now.

Cloud gaming is the fastest-growing phase, with an estimated annual development charge of 14%. It presents an alternative choice to conventional console gaming, though its enlargement relies upon closely on dependable web entry. Growth may speed up as {hardware} turns into extra reasonably priced and as a center class extra open to pay-to-play fashions emerges.

African builders look past the continent

The hottest video games in Africa are Candy Crush (10.4%), PUBG (6%), FIFA (2.2%), Dream League Soccer (1.8%), and Temple Run (1.6%).

However, monetization stays a significant problem. Around 90% of Africans do not need entry to a bank card or app retailer credit score, limiting in-app purchases and paid downloads.

Google Play stays the principle platform for distributing gaming apps throughout Africa. Apple’s App Store holds a smaller share however stays related in additional mature markets resembling South Africa and Egypt.

The report additionally highlights the rise of latest gamers in cell recreation distribution. Launched in 2023, Gara Store has positioned itself as an Africa-focused digital market. It first focused French-speaking West Africa earlier than increasing throughout the continent.

In addition, app shops run by smartphone producers — resembling Huawei AppGallery and Samsung Galaxy Store — distribute a number of video games, though their affect varies relying on machine sort and area. KaiStore, developed for the KaiOS working system, helps video games on primary function telephones. Meanwhile, third-party APK shops stay fragmented and infrequently increase greater considerations round safety and consumer belief.

The report additionally notes that Africa’s gaming ecosystem is basically made up of early-stage and semi-professional builders, alongside a smaller however rising variety of absolutely skilled studios.

Most African recreation studios prioritize worldwide markets over native audiences to cut back business threat. While this cautious technique has led to some international success tales, it has additionally slowed the expansion of Afrocentric storytelling and elevated reliance on overseas customers for income.

Walid Kéfi