Africa’s mobile gaming market to reach a CAGR of 7.83%
By Oluwaseyi Lawal
The African market for mobile games is expected to demonstrate an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2027) of 7.83%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$2.57bn by 2027.
This report comes from the market research platform, Statista. For 2024, the projected revenue in Africa’s Mobile Games market is expected to reach US$2.05bn, with the continent poised to break into the global top three. By 2027, the number of users in the Mobile Games market is estimated to reach 310.6 million.
The user penetration rate is projected to be 20.4% in 2024, rising to 22.6% by 2027. Globally, the majority of revenue will be generated in China, totaling US$34,660.00m in 2024. The average revenue per user (ARPU) in the Mobile Games market is projected to amount to US$7.80 in 2024.
The mobile gaming market under review includes gaming applications for smart devices such as smartphones and tablets, paid app downloads (single purchases), and premium games that are free to download but allow in-app purchases for various additional content or access time. Physical games for mobile consoles/handhelds and free-to-play gaming apps are not included.
Maliyo Games, a Nigerian company, published its Africa Games Industry Report, which highlights the rapidly evolving gaming sector in Africa. The report reveals that more than 200 million gamers across the continent are now spending hundreds of millions of dollars, with mobile platforms being the primary focus of this spending.
Mobile game popularity is booming in Africa, with Nigeria leading the way as the country with the highest number of mobile game downloads and active users. A survey by the Pan Africa Gaming Group (PAGG) and GeoPoll, conducted across major African countries—Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa—found that an impressive 92% of gamers prefer using smartphones for gaming. This strong inclination toward mobile gaming highlights the increasing accessibility of smartphones and the widespread use of the Android platform, as 92% of those surveyed download games from the Google Play Store.
The growth of mobile gaming has been significantly influenced by the spread of mobile internet connections throughout Africa. Online gaming and game downloads have become easier thanks to the continuous rollout of 3G, 4G, and now 5G networks—even in previously underserved areas. More people are able to engage in mobile gaming thanks to this enhanced connectivity, which is driving the sector’s expansion.
Another important factor propelling this growth is Africa’s youthful population. The continent has the lowest median age in the world, at 19.7 years. Mobile gaming is increasingly popular among this tech-savvy, digital-native generation as a primary source of entertainment. As this population grows, the potential market for mobile gaming expands, offering abundant opportunities for continued industry growth.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
Comment
No comments found.