Africa Games Week: Connecting Africa’s Gaming Talent to the World

How can Africa’s gaming industry be properly seen, understood, and valued on a global stage?

That was the defining question on the minds of Africa Games Week (AGW) Co-Founders, Nick Hall and Rex Bowden, as they attended major international gaming events such as GDC, Gamescom, and Paris Games Week. While these global conferences celebrated innovation, talent, and investment, one thing became increasingly clear: the African gaming ecosystem remained largely invisible or misunderstood.

Yet across the continent, game developers, studios, creatives, and startups were building remarkable products, often with limited access to funding, mentorship, or global exposure. Recognizing this gap, Hall and Bowden envisioned an event rooted in Africa, for Africans, but visible to the world. That vision became Africa Games Week, hosted in South Africa, a central hub designed to unite African gaming talent, foster collaboration, and spotlight the continent’s growing influence in the global games industry.

A Space Built for Learning, Networking, and Growth

For many attendees, Africa Games Week 2025 was a practical experience designed around real industry needs. One participant described the event as “amazing,” highlighting the rare opportunity to converse, collaborate, and learn within a shared space focused entirely on games and startups.

One standout session was the Unity Multiplayer event, praised for being “informative, fun, and straight to the point.” Rather than theoretical discussions, the session delivered actionable insights, helping developers better understand multiplayer development, tools, and workflows relevant to today’s market.

Equally impactful was AGW’s deliberate focus on accessibility. Attendees could easily arrange meetings with fellow participants, studio heads, mentors, and industry professionals. This open networking structure proved invaluable, especially for startup founders seeking clarity, guidance, and honest feedback.

“I was able to ask specific questions for my startup,” one attendee noted, emphasizing how approachable and helpful everyone was. True to the event’s mission, networking, particularly with local South African developers and professionals, was at the heart of the experience.

Understanding the Market and What Comes Next

Africa Games Week also served as a learning ground for understanding the current and future state of the game market. Through developer networking events and data-driven discussions, attendees gained insight into industry trends, player behavior, and statistics predicting the next ‘big thing’ in gaming.

These sessions were critical, especially for African developers navigating a rapidly evolving industry with limited access to market intelligence. By contextualizing global trends within Africa’s unique realities, such as mobile-first gaming, emerging studios, and regional communities, AGW helped bridge the gap between ambition and execution.

Mentorship That Matters

A major highlight for many was access to mentorship and direct engagement with organizations like SpielFabrique, alongside industry professionals including Ilyada and Matt Yves. These interactions went beyond surface-level conversations, offering meaningful guidance, mentorship opportunities, and one-on-one meetings that attendees could take back to their studios and startups.

For emerging developers, this kind of access can be transformative, opening doors to international networks, refining project direction, and reinforcing confidence in African-made games.

Beyond the talks, meetings, and sessions, Africa Games Week succeeded in something deeper: community. The scenery, atmosphere, and shared passion created an environment where people felt comfortable learning, collaborating, and envisioning a future for African games on a global scale.

By bringing Africa’s gaming ecosystem into one space, AGW reaffirmed that the continent is not just participating in the global gaming industry, it is actively shaping its future.