It's growing fast, gamers are hungry for games, and it's just getting started...
The African continent has a rapidly growing gaming market that game studios should note. With over 1.3 billion people, Africa represents a huge potential market for video game developers. The continent is also experiencing a technological revolution, with increased smartphone access and internet connectivity. This article will explore why game studios should care about the African gaming market and the opportunities it presents.
The African Gaming Market
The African gaming market is relatively new and still in its infancy, but it is growing rapidly. According to a report by Newzoo, the gaming market in Africa generated $570 million in 2020, and this figure is expected to reach $1 billion by 2024. The report also states that there are approximately 500 million gamers in Africa, making it one of the largest gaming markets in the world.
One of the factors driving the growth of the African gaming market is the increasing access to smartphones and internet connectivity. According to a report by GSMA, the number of unique mobile subscribers in Africa reached 467 million in 2020, and this number is expected to reach 614 million by 2025. This increased access to smartphones and internet connectivity has led to an increase in mobile gaming, the dominant platform for gaming in Africa.
Another factor driving the growth of the African gaming market is the rise of esports. Esports has gained popularity in Africa, with several countries hosting esports tournaments and leagues. In 2020, the Africa Games Championship, the biggest esports event in Africa, was held in Egypt. This event attracted over 1,000 players from 30 countries and had a prize pool of $25,000.
Opportunities for Game Studios
The African gaming market presents several opportunities for game studios.
Huge market potential
Africa has a population of over 1.2 billion people, with a significant percentage of the population under the age of 30. This demographic presents a largely untapped market for game studios. In addition, with increasing access to smartphones and internet connectivity, more Africans are gaining access to gaming platforms.
Another opportunity presented by the African gaming market is the potential for increased revenue. As previously mentioned, the African gaming market generated $570 million in 2020, and this figure is expected to reach $1 billion by 2024. Game studios that are able to capture a portion of this revenue stand to benefit significantly.
Growing gaming culture
The gaming culture in Africa is rapidly growing. Esports events are becoming more popular, and local gaming communities are forming across the continent. This presents an opportunity for game studios to build a loyal fan base in Africa. By investing in the African market, game studios can build relationships with local gaming communities and create content that resonates with them.
Diverse market
Africa is a diverse continent with over 54 countries, each with its unique culture and language. This presents an opportunity for game studios to create games that cater to specific local markets. By creating games tailored to specific markets, game studios can create content that resonates with local gamers and build a loyal fan base.
Low competition
Compared to other gaming markets, such as North America and Europe, the African gaming market is relatively untapped. This presents an opportunity for game studios to gain a foothold in a market with relatively low competition. By being an early mover in the African gaming market, game studios can establish themselves as market leaders and gain a significant advantage over their competitors.
Increased revenue
By investing in the African gaming market, game studios can increase their revenue streams. The growing middle class in Africa is increasing disposable income, and more Africans are willing to spend money on leisure activities such as gaming. By creating content that resonates with local gamers, game studios can tap into this growing market and increase their revenue streams.
Positive impact
Investing in the African gaming market can have a positive impact on the local economy. By creating jobs in the gaming industry, game studios can contribute to economic growth and development. In addition, by investing in local gaming communities, game studios can help to promote education and skills development.
The African gaming market is a rapidly growing market that game studios should pay attention to. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, increasing access to smartphones and internet connectivity, and a growing esports scene, the African gaming market presents several opportunities for game studios. Game studios that are able to establish a foothold in this market early on stand to benefit from the growth of the market and the potential for increased revenue. Additionally, game studios that are able to create games that are culturally relevant to different regions within Africa stand to benefit from increased engagement and loyalty from players.
References:
Newzoo. (2021). Africa's Gaming Market: An Overview. Retrieved from https://newzoo.com/insights/articles/africas-gaming-market-an-overview/
GSMA. (2021). The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2021. Retrieved from https://www.gsma.com/mobileeconomy/sub-saharan-africa-2021/
IOL. (2020). Africa Games Championship: 30 countries to compete in Cairo. Retrieved from https://
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