Africa’s video game market generated more than US$2.29 billion in revenue in 2025, driven overwhelmingly by the rapid spread of smartphone-based gaming, according to a new industry report.
Mobile games account for about 87 percent of gaming activity across the continent, making phones the dominant platform for Africa’s fast-growing community of players, the study found.
The figures come from State of the Industry: African Video Game Report 2026, published on February 10 by SpielFabrique and Xsolla, which tracks trends in development, distribution and monetisation.
The report estimates that Africa’s gaming market is expanding at an average annual rate of 12.32 percent significantly faster than the global average of 7.5 percent reflecting rising internet access, a young population and the widespread availability of low-cost smartphones.
“This growth is largely mobile-first,” the report said, noting that smartphones have become the most accessible entry point for gaming in a region where consoles and high-end PCs remain out of reach for many consumers.
In revenue terms, Egypt leads the continent with an estimated US$368 million in 2025, followed by Nigeria at $300 million, South Africa at US$278 million and Kenya at US$46 million.
As in other digital industries, gaming activity is heavily concentrated in large urban centres, where connectivity, disposable income and access to devices are higher.
While mobile dominates, the report notes that PC and console gaming are gradually expanding, particularly among higher-income players in major cities. Growth in these segments is expected to accelerate as hardware prices fall and a middle class more open to pay-to-play models emerges.
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Virtual reality and augmented reality gaming remain marginal, constrained by high costs and limited infrastructure. By contrast, cloud gaming is identified as the fastest-growing segment, with an estimated annual growth rate of 14 percent.
Cloud gaming allows users to stream games without owning expensive hardware, but its expansion depends heavily on reliable and affordable internet connections still uneven across much of the continent.
In terms of popularity, global titles dominate African screens. The most played games include Candy Crush (10.4 percent), PUBG (6 percent), FIFA (2.2 percent), Dream League Soccer (1.8 percent) and Temple Run (1.6 percent).
Despite the strong uptake of gaming, monetisation remains a major challenge for developers and publishers. Around 90 percent of Africans do not have access to a credit card or app store credit, sharply limiting in-app purchases and paid downloads.
As a result, free-to-play models and advertising-based revenue remain prevalent, while alternative payment systems are still developing.
Google Play is the dominant platform for distributing games across Africa, reflecting the prevalence of Android devices. Apple App Store has a smaller footprint but remains significant in more mature markets such as South Africa and Egypt.
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The report also highlights the emergence of new, Africa-focused distribution channels. Launched in 2023, Gara Store has positioned itself as a regional alternative, initially targeting French-speaking West Africa before expanding across the continent.
App stores run by smartphone manufacturers including Huawei AppGallery and Samsung Galaxy Store also distribute games, though their impact varies by device and region. KaiStore, designed for feature phones running KaiOS, supports basic games for users without smartphones.
Africa’s gaming ecosystem is still dominated by early-stage and semi-professional developers, alongside a smaller but growing group of fully professional studios.
To reduce commercial risk, most African studios prioritise international markets over local audiences, the report said. While this strategy has produced some global success stories, it has also slowed the development of Afrocentric storytelling and increased reliance on foreign consumers for revenue.
As mobile connectivity deepens and payment solutions evolve, the report argues that Africa’s gaming industry could unlock far greater value provided developers, platforms and policymakers can bridge the gap between rapid user growth and sustainable monetisation.
