It seems like the whole world is embracing digital gaming, from the ever-expanding selection of PC games to the growing trend of online casino games. Africa is no exception to that; in fact, it has the fastest-growing gaming market on the planet. That’s why digital gaming in Africa is about so much more than following a trend. The growth of this industry is having a profound impact on the economy across the continent.
Rise of African Gaming
The rise of African gaming has happened incredibly fast. If you rewind the clock a mere 10 years, it was a niche activity. However, Africa is on pace to have 400 million people playing online games by 2027. This is largely due to the continent having a young population and the increased availability of Internet access. With easy access to the Internet, new forms of entertainment emerged throughout Africa, with gaming catching on more than most.
Smartphone Was the Spark
If there is one flashpoint for the rise of digital gaming in Africa, it was the arrival of the smartphone. People no longer had to rely on home Internet service or visit gaming cafes to access gaming channels. It also took away the need to spend money on expensive consoles, relying instead on the growing list of online gaming sites and online casinos. With a smartphone, gaming is possible from anywhere and at any time. Plus, rather than dedicating large chunks of time, users can play whenever they have a few spare minutes. It also helps that gamers can learn about the mobile gaming experience on Casino.com ZA, along with other review sites that guide players toward the most reliable digital gaming platforms.
Global Collaboration
The growing popularity of digital gaming in Africa has drawn the attention of companies and organizations from outside the continent. Gaming companies from across the globe have recognized the potential of Africa’s growing market and started to collaborate with African companies. This has brought international investment money to Africa, strengthening the continent’s economy.
It’s not just in the development of new games. Companies are also investing in fintech payment solutions for Africans. While these solutions are geared toward those who use gaming platforms, fintech investment has helped to make Africa’s economy more inclusive for everyone. This has increased formal economic participation across the continent, making an impact on the African economy that extends far beyond digital gaming.
Embracing African Culture
One of the more underrated aspects of digital gaming in Africa is how the industry has incorporated African culture into games. Game developers are using African history and folklore in the premise and backstory of new games. This allows African gamers to identify with the characters, settings, and plots of the game they play, which has played an overlooked but important role in the rise of digital gaming. Traditionally, games have been almost exclusively influenced by Western and Asian cultures. But the fact that the gaming industry is embracing African culture is a sign that the rise of digital gaming in Africa is more than a trend. This is recognition that Africa will be an important part of the gaming industry for many years to come.
Job Creation
By far, job creation is the most important economic contribution of the rise of digital gaming in Africa. In fact, the reason why African culture is being incorporated into so many new games is that Africans are getting jobs as game developers and animators. The popularity of digital games in Africa has led to a demand for new games, creating more jobs for Africans within the industry. African-based startups within the gaming industry are also on the rise, helping create jobs independent of foreign investment.
Beyond the traditional job market, the popularity of digital gaming has helped to create a generation of streamers and influencers. Thanks to Internet access and fintech solutions coming to Africa, streamers and influencers in Africa can reach a global audience, allowing them to earn revenue from all over the world. This brings more money to Africa, helping to further strengthen the continent’s economy.
Future Potential
Believe it or not, Africa might be just scratching the surface of the gaming sector. The youthfulness of Africa’s population makes the gaming industry a safe bet to remain popular. At the same time, there is still a significant percentage of the African population without Internet access or a smartphone. This means the market for digital gaming in Africa is nowhere close to being saturated and has plenty of room left to grow. This should allow for even more international investment and job creation within Africa’s digital gaming industry, which has a chance to become one of the biggest sectors in the African economy over the next 10 to 20 years.