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Africa’s gaming industry is experiencing a meteoric rise, growing six times faster than the global average, according to a new annual analysis from Carry1st, the continent’s leading games publisher, and Newzoo, a top provider of global gaming data. The study estimates that Africa added 32 million new gamers in 2024, bringing the total to 349 million—the vast majority playing on mobile.

The report, commissioned by Carry1st, finds that Africa’s gaming market reached $1.8 billion in 2024, marking a 12.4 percent increase from the previous year. This surge far outpaces the global gaming industry, which grew just 2.1 percent year-over-year. Mobile gaming is the key driver, accounting for nearly 90 percent—or $1.6 billion—of Africa’s total gaming revenue.

“The dominance of mobile gaming, making up nearly 90% of the market, highlights the distinct path Africa is taking — leapfrogging traditional platforms,”  said Cordel Robbin-Coker, CEO and co-founder of Carry1st. “With such growth in players and spending, it’s clear that Africa is one of the few places to find secular growth in an industry that is otherwise showing signs of maturity.”

The findings mark a shift in how Africa’s gaming industry is measured. Previous analyses from Carry1st focused on sub-Saharan Africa, estimating 186 million gamers in 2021. This year’s report is the first to encompass the entire continent, capturing the full scale of Africa’s gaming economy.

A market in motion

The industry’s rapid ascent is fueled by widespread mobile adoption, expanding internet access, and innovative payment solutions that make gaming more accessible. With global markets slowing, Africa’s trajectory underscores its untapped potential in the gaming sector.

In 2023, Carry1st and Newzoo projected that sub-Saharan Africa’s gaming industry would reach $1 billion by 2024. The latest numbers suggest the continent has not only met but far surpassed those expectations. Mobile gaming continues to dominate, with a 14 percent year-over-year revenue increase.

Egypt leads the continent in gaming revenue, generating $368 million, followed by Nigeria at $300 million and South Africa at $278 million. Eritrea and Niger are the fastest-growing gaming markets, while Equatorial Guinea and Seychelles have seen the slowest expansion.

 “Africa’s gaming sector is growing rapidly and outpacing global trends, which signals that the continent is catching up and its growth cannot be overlooked,” said Michiel Buijsman, Principal Games Market Analyst at Newzoo. “With a fast-growing mobile online population and 90% of its $1.8 billion market coming from mobile gaming, it’s clear where growth opportunities can be found.”

As Africa’s gaming industry continues its unprecedented rise, global developers and investors are taking notice. What was once considered an emerging market is now a significant force in the gaming world, with no signs of slowing down.