Africa’s video game industry is expected to reach $1 billion (Sh130 billion) in revenue for the first time this year, up from $862 million in 2022.
Industry players in the continent say this demonstrates a robust growth trajectory that will reverse the global trend of declining video game activity.
This was said at the recently concluded 2024 Xbox Game Camp Africa which marked a significant milestone in the development of Africa’s gaming industry, highlighting the industry’s potential for growth.
The Xbox Game Camp Africa aims to capitalise on this growth by supporting talent development, providing support, and inspiring the next generation of African game developers.
The two-day hybrid event hosted physically in Johannesburg, South Africa, Casablanca, Morocco, and Nairobi, Kenya, brought together industry experts from Xbox, aspiring game developers, and gaming enthusiasts from across the continent to foster innovation and collaboration.
In Nairobi, the event was hosted at the Microsoft Africa Development Centre, offering participants a series of hands-on workshops covering various aspects of game development, including design, storytelling, brand building, and marketing.
Speaking in Nairobi, Temi Afolabi, the Xbox Global Expansion Team (GXT) lead for Africa and Middle East said the event represented a pivotal moment for game lovers.
''It’s not just about coming to Africa; it’s about immersing ourselves in the incredible talent here and figuring out how we can truly make a difference,'' Afolabi said.
''Leveraging our extensive industry experience, this initiative is our commitment to paying it forward—empowering individuals and equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in the gaming industry.''
On her part, Irene Githinji, Education Engagements Lead at Microsoft ADC, emphasized the importance of skills development and training in the industry, saying the Xbox Game Camp offers a great opportunity for game developers to meet and see what they can do together in the space.
''We get to see the talent that is budding in the gaming industry and begin designing skilling initiatives that will support the growth of the industry,'' Githinji said.
“Africa’s gaming industry is on the cusp of something truly remarkable. The creativity and passion we’ve witnessed here are impressive,'' Melissa Boone, principal Xbox Research manager said.
''At Xbox, we believe in the power of games to bring people together and inspire change. Our commitment is to support the talented developers and help them turn their innovative ideas into reality.”
While presenting a huge opportunity, African gamers are still faced with significant challenges.
According to the Africa Games Developer Survey, around 63 percent of local game developers have five years of development experience or less.
Additionally, African gaming professionals struggle to develop financially viable careers, with just 19 percent ever having secured external investment for any of their past projects.
“The growth of Africa’s video game industry is not just an opportunity for local developers but for the global gaming community. By collaborating and sharing resources, we can accelerate this growth and create a vibrant ecosystem that benefits everyone involved,” Esteban Lora, a gaming technology at Xbox Game Studios said.
The Nairobi edition of the camp included meetings with various game development studios who pitched their projects to receive support from the Xbox Global Expansion Team.
Some of the projects presented included "Tingish" and "Finke Desert Race" by Arkitech Studios, which won The Fak’ugesi Festival Awards in 2022, an African first award in video gaming, animation, XR (VR and AR), digital art, and music.
Founded in 2020, the Xbox Game Camp is held in different regions globally and features inspiring keynotes from prominent figures in the gaming industry.