Africa’s esports and iGaming scene is booming! With AFCON 2027 in sight, investments in infrastructure and organised competitions could unlock enormous potential. Discover how these moves could elevate esports across the continent and create exciting new opportunities!
It’s always exciting to see an industry thriving and aiming for its full potential - especially within Africa’s fast-growing gaming community. The surge in esports and online gambling across Uganda is a great example of this. But what steps are actually being taken to fuel this growth and support these markets as we look towards AFCON 2027?
At the Sports Betting East Africa+ (SBEA+) conference, industry experts and enthusiasts gathered to explore the worlds of esports and online betting. According to Alvin Joseph, Business Affairs and Development at Dice on News, the market has leapt from $1.1 billion in 2019 to a remarkable $2.4 billion in 2023.
Esports and iGaming each offer unique advantages (and challenges), yet both have found ways to capture players’ hearts and minds. Speakers at the conference noted that while the esports landscape in Africa shows incredible potential, it also faces several obstacles.
In some areas, esports are misunderstood as just another form of betting, creating hurdles for growth and making it tough to promote them.
Poor infrastructure poses another challenge, with many gamers struggling on outdated devices that lead to lag and reduced quality. Often, server issues are blamed when, in fact, the real problem is the quality of the hardware. To truly support players as they develop their skills, Africa needs to invest in better resources for the digital arena.
Thomas Buckley Opar Owuor, an Independent Platform Consultant, highlighted the importance of organised competitions where players can engage in popular games like FIFA and Call of Duty. These events could allow sportsbooks to create engaging customer experiences through betting odds based on player results.
Economically, this strategy makes sense. Esports competitions offer a promising crossover with the online betting sector, potentially boosting financial benefits for both players and operators.
Faith Dorothy Ahurira, Women in Games Ambassador for Uganda, pointed out that applying a model like the Champions League to esports could have a transformative effect. It’s a powerful way to reveal Africa’s untapped potential, engage players, draw viewers, and open up lucrative opportunities for competitive esports on the continent.
With AFCON 2027 on the horizon, promising moves are underway to support the growth of the gambling and sports sectors. Uganda’s Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija, recently announced that tax revenues from esports and betting would be channelled into enhancing sports infrastructure for AFCON 2027.
The coming year will prioritise sports infrastructure development, with National Lottery revenues aimed at major projects like the Shs 280 billion Hoima Stadium and planned upgrades at Namboole Stadium. As they look to build better infrastructure and create more opportunities, the gaming industry’s potential only grows, opening doors for significant expansion and returns.
Africa’s gaming community stands at the edge of a promising future, with each investment and initiative helping to create a vibrant, inclusive, and competitive gaming ecosystem.
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