The Growing Appetite for Mobile Gaming in Africa

Mobile gaming is experiencing a global rise in demand, with revenues hitting never-before-seen figures. In Africa, the appetite for mobile gaming is growing at an unprecedented pace. Analysts expect that this will only continue in the coming decade. 

The rise of mobile gaming in Africa is a result of several reasons, some of which are unique to the content, whilst others are also influencing demand in other parts of the world. Here, we explore the primary drivers of mobile gaming in Africa.

Mobile Gaming: Beyond Candy Crush 

When we think of people playing mobile games, the general view is somewhat limited. Mobile gaming extends beyond AAA titles like Mario Kart, the addictive Candy Crush Saga or Pokemon Go. Games of chance are also big business, with gambling already being a very popular pastime in many African countries. 

iGaming is particularly big in South Africa, with gamers having access to a wide range of online casino games. The industry is reaching a stage of maturity, giving players the peace of mind that they’re dealing with legit casinos specifically designed for an African audience. Overall, analysts predict an overall market value of $86.01m by 2027. 

The supply of high-quality games, therefore, comes from several different sub-industries within gaming. This also means that more customers can be reached; those who don’t like gaming in the traditional sense, may enjoy the new offerings from the gambling industry. 

Smartphone Adoption 

You can’t play mobile games without a smartphone. Seems like a simple and obvious statement, but it has had serious repercussions for the African continent. In 2023, however, smartphone adoption has boomed. 

By 2030, it is expected that almost 90% of individuals in sub-Saharan Africa will have access to a smartphone, which is a significant increase from 2022’s 51%. 

High-Speed Internet Connections 

The number of users with access to mobile internet will increase to 475 million by 2025, with 4G connections available to over a quarter of the population. This represents a 50% increase in the number of players who can access mobile games that require internet access. 

Most games in 2023 require an active connection to take full advantage of what’s on offer. For example, many games are free to download, but in-app purchases require an internet connection to be activated. Further, many games download as you go, optimizing performance. Without a connection, your ability to play the full array of titles is curtailed. 

Youthful Africa

On the whole, new technologies are adopted by the young. Mobile gaming has become ubiquitous, yes, but it is the younger population that is driving demand and playing the highest number of hours. 

With most of the world getting older, Africa is bucking that trend. At present, 60% of the population is 25 or younger. The United Nations predicts that by 2050, 2.4 billion Africans will be below this age; currently, there are 1.2 billion ‘young’ African citizens. That’s a lot of potential players. 

This stands in contrast with most of the world, where an ageing population is becoming a huge problem. In Japan, for instance, almost a third of the population is 65+. 

Rise in GDP

The gaming market is reliant on a healthy economy, and Africa has been expanding in the last few decades. Overall, 2022’s figures showed a 3.4% increase in GDP. 

The International Monetary Fund is currently cautiously optimistic that despite a recent slowdown in GDP as a result of global events, amongst others, there is reason to see light on the horizon. 

It is expected that 2024 will see a rebounding of growth in Africa, with a 4% figure expected. Higher GDP is an obvious driver of demand for smartphones, cell phone connections, and gaming. Without a healthy outlook going forward, expect the demand for gaming to decrease. 

However, the important point is that the demand is still there. Even when the economy is struggling, Africans tend to prioritize leisure activities like gaming. Furthermore, smartphones are necessary for daily transactions, which means ownership will be stable despite downturns.  

Outlook for 2024 

Mobile gaming has experienced record-breaking growth in Africa, but analysts believe this is only the start of a wider trend of growth in this sector. With Africa playing catch-up in terms of connectivity and access to smartphone devices, it is no surprise that there is significant room for more growth. 

High-speed internet access is now widely available, but it is still not accessible to large chunks of the population. Most citizens have the financial means to purchase a smartphone, but often it’s a basic model with limited features. 

Considering Africa as a whole is still developing in this regard, yet the demand is very much present, expect the gaming industry to continue growing as more people have access to the latest devices.