Joy Agwunobi
Africa’s rapidly expanding gaming industry, valued at roughly $1.8 billion annually, continues to be dominated by foreign developers, limiting local economic gains despite growing demand across the continent, global advisory firm KPMG has warned.
The firm raised the concern during an investors’ breakfast forum held in Lagos alongside MaliyoCon 2025, Nigeria’s first dedicated gaming conference. Industry stakeholders used the platform to highlight obstacles preventing Nigeria and other African countries from fully capitalising on the sector’s growth.
According to the experts, Nigeria possesses the talent, market size, and cultural relevance necessary to emerge as the continent’s next gaming hub. However, insufficient capital, weak industry structures, and a lack of long-term commitment continue to stifle local development.
Lawrence Amadi, Partner and Head of KPMG Africa’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) sector, underscored the potential economic benefits of locally developed games. He projected that monetising home-grown content could generate at least $300 million annually for Nigeria.
“This discussion is critical to addressing the funding and awareness gaps that constrain Africa’s gaming potential.While the market is vibrant, investment remains minimal, enabling foreign developers and publishers to dominate and extract value. The goal must be to produce African games, retain revenue locally, and build sustainable industry growth,” Amadi said.
Supporting the view, Bukola Akingbade, founder of Kucheza Gaming, highlighted that beyond funding, mentorship and knowledge transfer are pressing challenges for established local developers. She called for stronger support from experienced industry players to nurture local talent and unlock broader economic opportunities.
Hugo Obi, CEO of Maliyo Games, emphasised the central role of human capital in attracting investment. “Success in this business depends on skills and ingenuity. Investors are drawn to solution-driven individuals, not just ideas,” he said, stressing the importance of capacity building in sustaining the sector’s growth.
As Africa’s gaming market continues to expand, experts insist that deliberate investment in talent development, local production, and industry infrastructure will be key to ensuring the continent captures a larger share of the revenue generated by its own cultural and creative content.
