Africa game industry expected to surpass $1B in 2024, with 92% favoring smartphone games

The Pan Africa Gaming Group (PAGG) reported last week that a survey on the African gaming market showed about 92% of players play on their smartphones.

An earlier survey by NewZoo forecasted that the African game market would surpass $1 billion for the first time in 2024. Announced at the Game Developers Conference, the new survey was conducted by Geopoll and PAGG.

The report surveyed over 2,500 game players from Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa, and it provides insights into African player interests and behaviors.

The insights gleaned from the Geopoll / PAGG report complement the NewZoo forecast, painting a vivid picture of a vibrant and rapidly expanding gaming ecosystem in Africa.

Survey details

GeoPoll, the mobile-based research agency in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, partnered with PAGG, the largest network of independent game development studios across the continent, to conduct the comprehensive survey. Together, they collected and quantified insights from players across Africa, shedding light on key trends and preferences shaping the gaming landscape.

The report found 32% of respondents engage in gaming for three or more hours daily, highlighting the deep-seated enthusiasm for gaming among African players. And 62% have bought games in the past, or made in-game purchases.

Furthermore, the report delves into important topics such as female character representation in games, the importance of locally relevant game content, and African player attitudes towards violence in games. These insights provide valuable context for understanding the nuanced dynamics of the African gaming market and the preferences of its diverse player base.

John Murunga, GeoPoll’s regional director for Africa, said in a statement, “Our groundbreaking ‘Gaming in Africa Survey’ has unearthed fascinating trends that underscore the rapid growth and unique dynamics of the gaming sector on the continent. The insights from this survey not only highlight the widespread appeal of gaming as a form of entertainment but also shed light on the potential for gaming to become a powerful medium for cultural expression and community building in Africa.”

Why gaming in Africa matters

Africa is emerging as the fastest-growing global market in the gaming industry, fueled by a burgeoning population of digital-native youth and increasing smartphone penetration, the continent is poised to reshape the global gaming landscape.

Jay Shapiro, chairperson of PAGG, emphasized the significance of this data, said in a statement, “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.”