Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa Drive Africa’s $600M Gaming Boom

Africa’s gaming and digital entertainment industry is in the midst of an unprecedented surge, with Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa leading the charge. According to PwC’s Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook 2025–2029, these three markets collectively generated more than $600 million in gaming revenue in 2024. The report attributes this impressive momentum to mobile connectivity, a youthful population, and expanding access to digital payments—trends now defining Africa’s entertainment future.

Expanding Revenues Across Key Markets

South Africa remains the continent’s biggest entertainment and media hub, generating approximately $296 million in gaming revenue in 2024, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% through 2029.

Nigeria followed closely with $176 million, showing the fastest growth rate at 7.4%, while Kenya contributed $153 million and is projected to expand at 6.9% CAGR. PwC noted that the trio’s strong trajectory reflects “the fast expansion of mobile gaming and esports across the continent,” confirming their dominance in Africa’s digital economy.

South Africa’s National Gambling Board (NGB) added further context by reporting a gambling turnover of R1.5 trillion ($86 billion) for the 2024/25 financial year—an increase from R1.1 trillion the year prior. Online betting was responsible for about 60% of the nation’s gross gambling revenue, with overall GGR climbing to R75 billion ($4.3 billion), up from R59.3 billion a year earlier. Betting, including online wagering, accounted for roughly 70% of that total, reaching R52.3 billion, while casinos contributed around R16.6 billion, or 22% of the total.

Mobile Gaming and Esports Drive Engagement

PwC highlights that “rising smartphone adoption, improved internet connectivity and digital payment solutions” have been instrumental in fueling this digital evolution. South Africa’s esports scene continues to mature with large-scale tournaments, Nigeria’s mobile-first gaming economy is attracting foreign investment, and Kenya’s influencer-led gaming community is gaining traction among younger audiences.

The 2025–2029 PwC report identifies Nigeria as the fastest-growing entertainment and media market on the continent, buoyed by internet advertising, OTT services, and gaming. Kenya, although smaller in market size, is home to the world’s fastest-growing internet advertising sector, expanding at an annual rate of 16%. These advancements illustrate a continent-wide digital shift where entertainment, advertising, and gaming intersect.

Beyond Gaming: A Broader Digital Revolution

PwC’s study goes beyond gaming, showing Africa’s entire digital entertainment sector surpassing $1 billion in 2024. Combining gaming, OTT streaming, and live music revenues, this milestone signals an expanding entertainment economy increasingly defined by mobile innovation. South Africa is projected to maintain over 75% of the regional OTT subscriber base through 2029, with Kenya and Nigeria expected to add nearly two million new subscriptions collectively over the next five years.

Esports is also on an upward trajectory, with Africa poised to narrow the gap with global markets as infrastructure and investment continue to strengthen. PwC’s projections suggest that mobile gaming will remain the dominant platform, supported by affordable devices and digital microtransactions.

Connectivity and Technology Fueling Growth

According to PwC, connectivity remains a fundamental growth driver. Nigeria now counts more than 107 million internet users, while Kenya’s mobile connections exceed its population. In South Africa, video content accounts for over three-quarters of total data usage, reflecting the growing appetite for digital media. Improved 4G and expanding 5G coverage are accelerating this shift, opening the door for immersive entertainment experiences that merge gaming, streaming, and social media.

This digital transformation is reinforced by generative AI adoption, which PwC notes is “enhancing content creation, recommendation engines and customer engagement.” Media companies in South Africa are already experimenting with AI tools for personalization, while startups across the continent develop local-language content to expand accessibility and cultural representation.

Africa’s Next Digital Frontier

As the Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook 2025–2029 concludes, Africa’s entertainment landscape is “fast, focused and future-ready.” With mobile-first consumers, expanding broadband access, and creative monetization models through mobile payments, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa have positioned themselves at the heart of a digital revolution. From gaming and esports to OTT streaming and advertising, Africa’s entertainment ecosystem is on track for sustained transformation and long-term growth.

Source:

Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook 2025–2029, pwc.co.za, 2025.