Gamathon 2024, Africa’s most anticipated gaming convention, concluded last week with a resounding success, cementing the continent’s position as an emerging powerhouse in the global gaming industry. Held in Lagos, the weeklong event brought together over 300 game developers, investors, gaming enthusiasts, and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond.

With delegates from Ghana, Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, Senegal, and other African nations in attendance, Gamathon ’24 offered an immersive experience designed to push the boundaries of gaming and interactive media in Africa.

The event, organized by Africacomicade, was a hub for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, addressing key industry challenges and opportunities. With over six days of studio tours, panel discussions, workshops, and creative exhibitions, Gamathon ’24 was more than a showcase—it was a celebration of Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy and the limitless possibilities within the gaming and interactive media sector.

Day 1: International Press Conference and Delegate Networking

The event opened with a high-energy press conference, where delegates from seven countries converged to discuss the transformative potential of Africa’s gaming industry. Backed by top-tier sponsors such as Gamr (Techstars ’23), Carven, HP, LG Electronics, Comic Republic, Café One, and Banwo & Ighodalo, the event positioned itself as a major gathering for thought leaders to explore the continent’s gaming landscape.

Panel discussions on the first day included conversations about the intersection of technology, creativity, and the opportunities for African creators to tell their own stories through gaming.

Day 2: A Day of Relaxation and Celebrating Nigerian Independence

Coinciding with Nigeria’s Independence Day, the second day saw delegates unwind with a picnic and exclusive dinner at Carven, Landmark Boulevard, blending relaxation with celebration.

It was a pivotal moment of cross-border interactions as influential figures such as Louis Whyte Jonah (Gamesverse Africa), Muhammad A. (an expert in game design and hardware development), Edu Shola (Deluxe Studios founder), and industry champions like Melissandre Monatus and Johana RIQUIER exchanged ideas on how African culture and history can be woven into games for global audiences.

This day also allowed key players to emphasize the importance of relaxation and social networking in innovation, as the conversations surrounding game development, esports, and interactive media were held in a more informal and congenial environment, fostering collaborations.

Days 3 & 4: Studio Tours—A Deep Dive into Africa’s Creative Hubs

Gamathon ’24 took an inside look at the production pipelines and creative processes of some of Africa’s most notable game development and animation studios. Visits to Kucheza Gaming, Maliyo Games, and Vortex Corp offered participants firsthand insights into how African developers are creating unique content that reflects the continent’s diverse cultures, traditions, and modern narratives.

These studio tours not only showcased the technical and creative prowess within the region but also highlighted the immense potential for collaboration with international partners looking to invest in African game development talent.

Attendees were particularly impressed with the innovative approaches employed by African studios, as well as their adaptability in using limited resources to create compelling gaming experiences. The studio tours underscored how the intersection of art, culture, and technology is shaping the future of gaming in Africa.

Day 5: The ARK Fellowship—Empowering Emerging Talent

The ARK Fellowship, one of the main highlights of Gamathon ’24, was designed to spotlight Africa’s rising stars in the gaming industry. Emerging creators pitched their innovative gaming projects to a panel of investors, gaming veterans, and industry stakeholders, with the potential to secure mentorship, funding, and development support.

This platform allowed young creators to present projects that leveraged Africa’s rich cultural tapestry to develop games with global appeal. The ARK Fellowship highlighted the immense potential of African creators and demonstrated the growing appetite for original content that can resonate both locally and globally.

The energy and creativity showcased during the ARK Fellowship reaffirmed that Africa is teeming with untapped talent ready to take the global gaming stage.

Day 6: The Creative Block Carnival—A Grand Finale

The final day of Gamathon ’24 culminated in the vibrant Creative Block Carnival, a fitting celebration of creativity, innovation, and African culture. The carnival brought together artists, gamers, and developers in a festive atmosphere where the week’s discussions were translated into action, with displays of innovative projects, artistic performances, and immersive experiences.

The event underscored the importance of community in the growth of Africa’s gaming ecosystem and laid the groundwork for future collaboration across the continent.

Key Insights from Gamathon ’24: Africa’s Gaming Industry on the Rise

Several key takeaways from Gamathon ’24 signaled the vast opportunities that lie ahead for Africa’s gaming industry:

• Africa’s gaming market generated $640 million in 2023, up from $590 million in 2022, illustrating the steady growth of the industry (Statista, 2023).
• With 570 million Africans regularly accessing the internet and 1 billion mobile users, mobile gaming has emerged as a critical sector, driving the adoption of gaming technology across the continent.
• 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, positioning the youth as a key driver for innovation and adoption of gaming as both a career and a creative outlet.
• Key players like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopia are at the forefront, with gaming revenues surpassing hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Notably, industry leaders such as Johana RIQUIER, who introduced Unity to the African market, and Melissandre Monatus, emphasized the opportunity for African developers to fuse gaming with Africa’s cultural industries, such as Nollywood, to create authentic and globally compelling narratives.

Gamathon ’24 reinforced that Africa’s rich history, folklore, and modern stories can be leveraged to create content that resonates with both local and international audiences.

Africacomicade and the Future of African Gaming

Gamathon ’24 served as a launchpad for future growth, not only showcasing African talent but also initiating meaningful dialogues about investment, content creation, and the intersection of culture and technology. It became clear that Africa’s gaming industry is poised for exponential growth, with a wealth of creativity and young talent ready to take the global stage.

As Africa continues to develop its digital economy, events like Gamathon provide the perfect environment for creative collaboration, innovation, and community building. The conversations held throughout Gamathon ’24 highlighted the need for continued support from both local and international investors to nurture the region’s potential.

Initiatives like the ARK Fellowship, along with partnerships between game developers and cultural industries, will be key to ensuring that Africa’s stories are told in fresh, interactive ways.

As the African gaming industry continues to evolve, Gamathon remains a critical platform for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. With the global gaming community watching, Africa’s developers, creators, and innovators are ready to lead the charge in creating the next generation of immersive digital experiences.

Gamathon ’24 has left an indelible mark on the continent’s gaming ecosystem, providing a blueprint for how Africa can lead in interactive media and gaming for years to come. Through collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to fostering homegrown talent, the future of African gaming looks brighter than ever.

Last Updated on October 14, 2024