Last week, significant players in the African video game industry—including game developers, eSports providers, content creators, localization experts, and animators—convened for the fifth edition of Gamathon. Hosted by AfricaComicade, this week-long event aimed to foster collaboration and stimulate growth in Africa’s rapidly evolving gaming sector, as reported by Ikenna Bede.
While the global video game industry continues to outpace traditional entertainment areas, Africa’s gaming market showcases a different narrative. The theme for this year’s Gamathon, “Thrive,” encouraged attendees to conduct honest self-assessments and pinpoint avenues for growth. The conference, held at the Odeya Centre on Lagos Island, sparked detailed discussions on significant issues, particularly on the penultimate day of the event.
Delegates from countries like Ethiopia, Namibia, South Africa, Ghana, and Benin participated in the conference, which featured three panel sessions. These sessions addressed challenges including the disconnect between eSports and local game development, monetization strategies, contemporary trends in animation and gamification, as well as the prospects of cross-sector partnerships.
“A new generation has grown up with anime,” said gaming business strategist Johana Riquier, highlighting the rise of transmedia culture in Africa, where local narratives are being adapted into various formats. “When communities engage with anime, they often want to create content that represents their unique cultures—like Yoruba, Igbo, and Twi. I’ve particularly noticed this growth in Senegal, where anime is becoming increasingly popular.”
To advance the gaming landscape and position Africa on the global stage, South African researcher Mxolisi Xaba stressed the importance of collaboration. “We’re seeing multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary partnerships develop,” he noted. “It’s exciting to see comic-focused ventures branching into gaming. Research shows that substantial collaboration and cross-sector exposure could become a defining strength for Africa’s gaming industry.”
Xaba advised independent developers to focus on understanding market trends to inform their creative processes and to engage in research or courses about intellectual property to learn effective monetization strategies.
Significant progress has been made in Africa’s gaming sector through collaborative efforts. Oluwatosin Ogunyebi, co-founder of AfricaComicade, discussed partnerships like the Spark Fellowship, which empowers game developers to share ideas, create games, and gain real-world experience. “Participants from various countries come together for the program, and we help facilitate internship opportunities across different regions,” Ogunyebi explained. “This fosters cross-border collaboration, enabling us to explore opportunities beyond our local scenes.”
He added, “We’re also seeing co-productions where African game studios partner with international teams, which helps their games reach a global audience.”
Another segment of the program focused on Nigeria’s growing eSports culture, with discussions highlighting the challenges of incorporating local games. Adebayo Onigbanjo, founder of 10N8E, an eSports provider in Nigeria, pointed out several barriers such as server locations, infrastructure limitations, and the need for government support.
While local or African games haven’t yet become staples in eSports events, Onigbanjo encouraged developers to adopt a community-centric approach to engage gamers and foster loyalty.
Before the Gamathon conference, AfricaComicade organized a diverse range of activities aimed at showcasing Africa’s vibrant gaming community. Acknowledging the importance of community engagement and knowledge sharing, they created a platform for developers across the continent to connect, network, and exchange insights. A key event was a delegate roundtable, bringing representatives from various nations together to discuss unique challenges like funding shortages, lack of infrastructure, and the need for local support systems. This roundtable encouraged open dialogue and allowed delegates to share experiences and brainstorm practical solutions, creating a collaborative and innovative environment to tackle these issues.
To enhance collaboration, AfricaComicade also arranged an immersive tour of prominent game studios in Lagos. This initiative aimed to unite various stakeholders, enabling delegates to interact directly with game developers and creative professionals. The tour featured visits to notable studios such as Kucheza Gaming, Spoof Animations, Maliyo Games, MAD House by Tikera Africa, and VX Central, allowing participants to observe creative workflows, learn about studio operations, and engage in discussions on topics ranging from sustainable development to leveraging technology for international collaborations.
To conclude Gamathon, game developers showcased their work during the ARK PITCH segment. Some presented completed projects while others teased upcoming launches, sharing insights into how their games provide solutions ranging from educational tools to entertainment experiences.
Unlike last year, no funds were awarded during the initial pitch. This year, the pitch serves as an entry point to a fellowship program, a pre-accelerator initiative. Twenty studios will be chosen to refine their projects before presenting again for funding, culminating in a final competition that offers a prize pool of $50,000.
