Africa’s gaming industry generated $1 billion in revenue in 2024, according to the 2025 Africa Games Industry report, published by KPMG in collaboration with Maliyo Games, highlighting efforts to digitize African culture through gaming.

The collaboration aims to improve the gaming industry in Nigeria by incorporating African culture into digital games.

Nigeria is Africa’s fastest-growing gaming market with revenue reaching $185 million in 2022. The country is positioned to play a central role in the continent’s gaming industry, and the report provides insights into the market’s evolution over the last 12 to 18 months.

Lawrence Amadi, partner, Tech Assurance, KPMG West Africa, speaking during the launch at the KPMG Tower in Lagos, recently, captured key developments in the industry and how gaming could be tailored to reflect African culture.

“Some of us may be familiar with Nintendo and Xbox, but what we are doing with this report is different. We are seeing the emergence of games that are custom-built for our culture. Games like WatKing and Downpour Drivers feature elements that people on the continent can relate to. This makes gaming more meaningful, and that is why this partnership is important,” he said.

Also emphasising the significance of the partnership, Amadi added, “The collaboration you see here brings KPMG and Maliyo Games together. Maliyo is a leading game development company in Africa, and we’ve chosen to partner with them because it is important to work with an industry front-runner.”

Hugo Obi, founder and CEO of Maliyo Games, highlighted the importance of developing games that resonate with African audiences.

“We are a mobile game development company based in Lagos, focused on creating African-inspired games. We take the games we play traditionally and digitize them. This is important because the games industry generates more revenue than the music and film industries combined,” Obi said.

He added that Africa generated $1 billion in gaming revenue in 2024. “That is how much money people are spending on games. And when I say games, I am not talking about gambling but the kind of games people play casually. The ability to create and develop games locally is important for economic growth,” he noted.

Obi also spoke about Maliyo’s collaboration with Disney to develop Watch Rising Chef, a cooking game centered around African cuisine. “Your family members abroad can now prepare jollof rice, fried chicken, and plantain on their mobile phones or tablets,” he said

He stressed the importance of building a gaming industry that is recognised and understood. “This industry is not mainstream yet. Many people play games, but very few understand how they are made or their economic impact. By partnering with KPMG, we aim to mainstream this knowledge and make it accessible,” he noted.

Beyond economic benefits, gaming also has positive social impacts. Obi pointed out that games enhance cognitive skills, problem-solving abilities, and social connections.

“Gaming is a form of entertainment that brings joy to players. In a world where people are constantly working and dealing with stress, gaming offers a form of escapism,” he added.

He also addressed misconceptions about gaming demographics. “Many assume that gaming is for children, but the data suggests otherwise. The average gamer is 18 years and 37 years old, male and female.

“This is because gaming devices are often registered under parents’ names. People of all ages engage in gaming, and there are different games for different age groups,” Obi said.

GOMYCODE, a leading technology education provider, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Woolf University, a global collegiate higher education institution, to offer Master of Science in Computer Science with Specialization in Software Engineering to aspiring and established tech professionals in Nigeria.

This collaboration aims to provide accessible, high-quality, globally recognized education to individuals seeking to advance their careers and expand their opportunities.

The Master’s program is designed to empower busy professionals and ambitious individuals with advanced skills and qualifications, opening doors to global job opportunities and facilitating potential emigration for those seeking international careers.

“We are thrilled to partner with Woolf University to bring this exceptional opportunity to Nigeria,” said Yahya Bouhlel, Co-founder of GOMYCODE. “In today’s competitive tech landscape, advanced degrees are increasingly essential.

“This partnership allows us to provide a flexible, world-class education that empowers our students to achieve their career aspirations, whether they seek to excel locally or on a global stage.”

The program’s online, flexible structure caters to the demands of working professionals, enabling them to balance their studies with existing commitments. Students will benefit from Woolf University’s rigorous academic standards and GOMYCODE’s practical, industry-relevant approach to learning.

“Woolf University is excited to collaborate with GOMYCODE to expand access to quality higher education in Nigeria,” stated Naveen Jangir, Head of Strategy and Growth, from Woolf University. “Our mission is to democratize education, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our goal of providing accessible, accredited degrees to learners worldwide.

“We believe this program will equip Nigerian tech professionals with the skills and credentials they need to thrive in the global economy.”

Babatunde Olaifa, Country Head of GOMYCODE in Nigeria, emphasized the significance of this partnership for the Nigerian tech ecosystem.

“This collaboration represents a significant leap forward for tech education in Nigeria. By offering a globally recognized Master’s degree, we are empowering our professionals to compete on a global scale.

“This is a chance for people to level up their careers, and to open doors that they previously thought were closed.

“We are very excited to see the impact that this program will have on the lives of our students and the broader Nigerian tech community.”

This Master of Science in Computer Science with Specialization in Software Engineering program is ideal for tech professionals seeking to enhance their qualifications; Individuals aiming for global job opportunities; those considering emigration and requiring advanced degrees; ambitious individuals looking to accelerate their career growth.

GOMYCODE and Woolf University are committed to providing a supportive and enriching learning environment that fosters innovation and excellence.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Africa’s leading philanthropy empowering entrepreneurs is set to announce the 11th cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

The 2025 announcement comes at a critical time, as Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem faces funding constraints and global economic headwinds. TEF continues to provide much-needed support, empowering African entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into sustainable businesses and engines of economic growth.

Each selected Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur will receive $5,000 non-refundable seed capital, a world-class business training on TEFConnect, one-on-one mentorship, and access to global networks and investment opportunities. The selection process is being conducted by Ernst & Young, to ensure independent assessment.

The impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation extends beyond funding. It is changing lives and shaping Africa’s future, as witnessed by beneficiaries of the catalytic TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.

Ahead of the upcoming announcement, Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R., Founder of TEF and Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, reiterates his unwavering belief in the potential of Africa’s entrepreneurs:

“I believe that Africa’s transformation will not be led by aid, but by empowering the next generation of African entrepreneurs—giving them the tools, the funding, the training, and the networks to build sustainable businesses that create jobs and drive economic growth.

Over the past decade, we have nurtured entrepreneurs from inception to success, scaling our impact across all 54 African countries. We have provided capital and also developed a robust monitoring and evaluation framework that allows us to track the progress of our entrepreneurs and measure their contributions to their communities and economies.

No other organisation is implementing entrepreneurship development at this scale across Africa. We have learned, we have refined, and we continue to improve, ensuring that African entrepreneurs—women and men—are at the forefront of solving our continent’s challenges and creating wealth for themselves and their communities. Entrepreneurship is the key to Africa’s prosperity. I wish the 2025 cohort of Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs success, as they chase their ambitions, and play their part in Africa’s transformation.”

The Tony Elumelu Foundation is the leading philanthropy empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, driving poverty eradication, catalysing job creation across all 54 African countries and ensuring inclusive economic empowerment.

Since the launch of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, TEF has lifted over 2 million Africans out of poverty, provided 2.5 million young Africans with access to training on TEFConnect, and disbursed more than $100millon in direct funding to thousands of African entrepreneurs who have gone on to create over 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs and generate over $4.2 billion in revenue.

Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur Testimonials from Previous Years:

“I started my agribusiness with nothing but an idea. TEF changed everything. With the funding, training, and mentorship, I have now expanded across three countries and employ 25 people.”

– Fatima Diallo, Senegal, Agritech Entrepreneur

“As a woman in the fintech industry, it was difficult to secure funding. TEF not only provided me with capital but also the confidence and skills to build a business that is now attracting international investors.”

– Mary Okeke, Nigeria, Fintech Founder

“The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme helped me commercialise my clean energy innovation. Today, we provide solar solutions to over 50,000 homes in rural Tanzania.”

– Juma Nyerere, Tanzania, Renewable Energy Entrepreneur

For more details on the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s impact visit our Impact Page, African Success Stories Page, and Annual Report Page.

For Media Inquiries: media@tonyelumelufoundation.org