The African video game industry experienced substantial growth, with a value of $1.8 billion in 2024, of which 90% (or $1.6 billion) came from mobile. This increase resulted from a 12.4% growth rate from the previous period, more than six times greater than the global average. Africa had 349 million video game players in 2024, of whom 304 million played on mobile, 10% more than in the previous period.
Here’s a detailed table summarizing the trends of natural rubber production in Africa from 1994-2024:
| Period | Key Trends | Notable Developments |
| 2000-2010 | Limited mobile penetration; mainly playing games on feature phones | Introduction of basic mobile games such as Snake on Nokia devices.Minimal investment in the gaming infrastructure. |
| 2011-2015 | Growth in smartphone adoption; the emergence of mobile internet connectivity | 3G network expansion.Increase in locally developed games.Mobile Gaming Communities on the Rise. |
| 2016-2020 | The rapid increase in mobile gamers, improvements in Internet speedIntroduction of mobile payment systems | Launch of 4G networks.The development of mobile payment platforms for facilitating in-app purchases.Growth of local studios in game development. |
| 2021-2024 | Dominance in mobile gaming; significant market growth; Increased investment in gaming. | 95% of gamers are mobile gamers in Sub-Saharan Africa.African gaming market set to reach over $1 billion by 2024 International investors and partnerships come into African gaming. |
Key takeaways
- 2000-2010: Mobile coverage in Africa rose from 2% in 2000 to over 50% in 2010.
- 2011-2015: Smartphone adoption accounted for 23% of Africa's connections in 2015.
- 2016-2020: The number of gamers in Sub-Saharan Africa had risen to approximately 140 million in 2020.
- 2021-2024: The African gaming market reached $1.8 billion by 2024.
- Future Outlook: The industry will reach up to $4.14 billion in 2030 with an 11.62% growth rate of CAGR.
Trends of the African mobile gaming for spenders from 2000-2024
2000-2010: Early development
Mobile penetration increased from 16.5 million in 2000 to 552 million in 2010. The internet increased from 0.78% to 10.9% in 2010, with mobile access limited to essential services. There remained low levels of internet access via fixed lines, with 12.1 million subscriptions on the continent in 2010.
2011-2015: Rapid expansion
Smartphone penetration had grown from 4% in 2012 to 23% in 2015. Mobile internet connectivity had covered 15% of the people by 2015. The number of unique mobile subscribers rose to 329 million in June 2014, which is 38% of the country's penetration. The overall mobile subscription penetration had been up to 80% in 2015.
2016-2020: Rapid growth
The number of players in Sub-Saharan Africa also increased significantly, reaching 140 million in 2020. Mobile internet coverage also widened, with 84% of the population covered with 3G coverage towards the end of 2021 and 63% with 4G coverage. In 2020, there were over 500 million individual mobile subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a 50% penetration rate. Local content creators created content with cultural value, contributing to the industry's growth.
2021-2024: Market dominance
By 2024, Africa's video game industry had grown to $1.8 billion, with 90% of this coming from mobile gaming, valued at $1.6 billion. The 32 million rise in the number of players meant there were 349 million, of whom 304 played on mobile devices. Year over year, mobile gaming revenue rose 14%, propelled by enhanced payment systems and the quality of offerings.
Conclusion
From 2000 to 2024, Africa’s mobile gaming industry grew significantly. Mobile penetration increased from 16.5 million to over 1.3 billion by 2024. The gaming market reached $1.8 billion, with mobile gaming accounting for 90% ($1.6 billion). The player base expanded to 349 million, with 304 million using mobile devices. Internet penetration rose from 0.78% to over 40% by 2020.
FAQs
How big is the African gaming market?
The African gaming market is growing significantly. It is projected to reach USD 2.39 billion in 2025 and expand at a CAGR of 11.62% to USD 4.14 billion by 2030.
What is the future of gaming in Africa?
With the increase in internet connectivity, proliferation of smartphones, and growth of high-bandwidth networks such as 5G, the future of gaming in Africa will be very bright, spurring the market further across the continent.
What is the state of the gaming industry in 2024?
The African Gaming Market is projected to pass the USD 1 billion mark in sales by 2024, with smartphone gaming accounting for about 92% of the players. This growth has been fueled by the continent's young population and increasing access to mobile internet.
Is mobile gaming not popular in Africa?
Mobile gaming is unquestionably popular in Africa, with most gamers preferring to play on their smartphones. This trend coincides with the improvement in internet accessibility and the upsurge of smartphones at very pocket-friendly prices across the continent.
