1. A Market on the Move
Africa’s gaming market is projected to grow from USD 2.39 billion in 2025 to over USD 4.14 billion by 2030. A significant part of this surge comes from esports, now an established subculture and revenue driver in the region.
In 2024 alone, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region recorded USD 69 million in esports revenue, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.9 percent expected through 2030. South Africa, leading the way, brought in USD 15.4 million in 2024 and is forecasted to triple that by the end of the decade.
2. What’s Powering Africa’s Esports Surge
- Mobile access. With over 95 percent of gamers playing via smartphones and widespread use of mobile money, esports has become highly accessible.
- Grassroots competitions. Tournaments such as the Carry1st Africa Cup and African Esports Championship are anchoring the community.
- Training grounds. Esports academies and festivals like Gamecon Africa are training players, tech talent, and broadcasters alike.
- Low entry barriers. Small entry fees and inclusive tournament structures make participation easier across income levels.
3. Building an Ecosystem
Esports in Africa is no longer just about players. A new generation of broadcasters, game developers, shoutcasters, coaches, and digital producers is rising. Organizations like Aura 233 in Ghana show how locally built teams can scale.
Educational institutions are catching on too, offering courses in game design, event production, and competitive tech.
4. What’s Holding It Back
- Inconsistent connectivity across regions, despite 5G rollouts in markets like Kenya and Rwanda
- Fragmented policies. While some countries have esports federations, Africa lacks a unified governing body to guide responsible gaming, underage protection, and infrastructure
- Diversity gaps. Female gamers, rural talent, and underserved communities are still underrepresented
5. What the Future Could Look Like
- Standardized regulations across borders
- Youth-centered tournament leagues in local languages
- More female-led teams and talent pipelines
- Homegrown games with African mythology and design
- Investment in hybrid formats—physical gaming lounges combined with virtual tournaments
Conclusion
Africa has the numbers, the devices, and the energy. What’s needed is vision. Esports in Africa is not a copy-paste of global trends—it’s a reimagining built around skill, inclusion, and access.
The question is no longer if esports belongs here—it’s how bold we’re willing to be to shape it for Africa.