Safaricom has hosted its inaugural Gaming Conference at the Michael Joseph Centre in Nairobi, marking a significant step towards shaping the future of Africa’s gaming industry.
Themed “Level Up Africa: Unlocking Gaming Potential in Africa”, the conference brought together gamers, developers, investors, policymakers, and tech enthusiasts to discuss the rapid growth of the continent’s gaming ecosystem, its challenges, and emerging opportunities.
The conference highlighted the transformative role gaming plays in technology, innovation, and youth empowerment. Discussions focused on eSports, game development, policy frameworks, investment strategies, and infrastructure growth required to position Africa as a global player in the gaming sector.
Safaricom’s Chief Consumer Business Officer, Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, emphasized the company’s commitment to powering innovation among Kenya’s youth:
“Gaming is more than just play – it’s talent, creativity, and opportunity. At Safaricom, we believe in building platforms where skills can turn into careers, innovations, and thriving communities,” she said.
Beyond gaming, the event doubled as a vibrant celebration of pop culture. Attendees enjoyed movie screenings, TV show showcases, live music, cosplay competitions, performances, and merchandise exhibitions.
This cultural integration reflects the growing influence of gaming on entertainment trends across Africa, underscoring its potential as a driver of both creative industries and economic growth.
Safaricom has played a pivotal role in developing Kenya’s gaming ecosystem, steadily investing in platforms, tournaments, and technology infrastructure to nurture gaming talent:
- 2019 – eSports Tournament with Pro Series Gaming (PSG):
Targeted youth aged 18–26, offering mentorship and empowerment while exploring gaming as a career path. - 2021 – MobiPlay Challenge:
An 8-week online gaming competition via Games Lounge, featuring daily and weekly prizes plus a grand reward for top competitors. - 2023 – “Wai Ndai” Online Gaming Challenge:
A 90-day tournament with KES 500,000 worth of daily cash vouchers and three Suzuki Altos as grand prizes. - 2025 – Sponsorship of Otamatsuri Gaming Convention:
Safaricom powered the event at KICC using its 5G network, delivering high-speed, low-latency connectivity for seamless online gameplay and streaming.
Through these initiatives, Safaricom has strengthened its position as a key enabler of Kenya’s gaming industry, giving players and developers platforms to compete, innovate, and monetize their skills.
Addressing Challenges in the Gaming Space
While Africa’s gaming market is growing rapidly, the conference highlighted several key challenges that need urgent attention:
- Policy Development: The need for structured policies to regulate and support the gaming sector.
- Access to Funding: Developers require more investment to create world-class games and platforms.
- Talent Retention: Preventing African gaming talent from migrating abroad by creating local opportunities.
- Infrastructure Growth: Expanding high-speed connectivity to rural and urban areas to bridge access gaps.
Safaricom’s 5G rollout and continued investment in digital platforms position it as a critical catalyst for addressing these hurdles.
The conference marked the beginning of a new chapter for Africa’s gaming industry, opening up opportunities for:
- Developers to create localized, culturally relevant games
- Gamers to compete on global platforms
- Investors to tap into Africa’s fast-growing gaming economy
- Youth to leverage gaming as a career path and entrepreneurial opportunity
With Safaricom leading the charge, Kenya is poised to become a regional hub for gaming and eSports, attracting talent, investment, and innovation from across Africa.
