African regulators to tailor campaigns to local markets at Safer Gambling Week 2026
The five-day initiative will bring together stakeholders across six African markets, with regulators able to adapt safer-gambling messaging to local communities.
Kenya.- Gambling regulators across Africa will be able to adapt safer-gambling messaging and activities to their own markets and communities when Africa Safer Gambling Week 2026 begins on September 7.
Hosted by the African iGaming Alliance (AiA), the five-day campaign will give regulators the flexibility to “tailor public messaging and activities” to their own markets and local communities, according to a press release. The initiative will bring regulators, licensed operators, trade associations and responsible-gambling organisations together around player protection as African gambling markets continue to develop.
Running from September 7-11 under the #PlaySafeAfrica banner, the campaign will combine regulatory and industry engagement with public education, digital awareness and community outreach. A formal launch, media engagement and continental webinar are also planned.
Each day will focus on a specific aspect of safer gambling, including responsible gambling, personal limits, responsible-gambling tools, underage gambling and the risks associated with illegal and unlicensed operators.
Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, CEO of the African iGaming Alliance, said: “As Africa’s gambling industry continues to grow, player protection must grow with it.”
Kesitilwe said Africa Safer Gambling Week would bring regulators and industry stakeholders together around safer gambling and stronger consumer protection, while ensuring consumers have access to the information and tools needed to gamble responsibly.
AiA board member and head of responsible gaming at pawaTech, Olabimpe Akingba, said the initiative would move cooperation between African jurisdictions beyond discussion and towards practical action, with player protection providing a key area for collaboration.
Countries unite for protection
Current campaign material identifies six participating African markets – Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi.
The campaign has already attracted regulatory support, with Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority among the stakeholders backing the initiative in Nigeria.
The campaign will also encourage players to use licensed and regulated operators, while highlighting the risks of illegal gambling and the protections that may be missing outside the regulated market.
Players are also being given advice on setting spending and time limits, as well as using tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion. Support information for players in Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa is included in the campaign materials, with details on available helplines and self-exclusion options.
AiA said Africa Safer Gambling Week is intended to become an annual platform for regulators, licensed operators, industry associations and responsible-gambling organisations to strengthen cooperation and share good practice as African gambling markets continue to develop.
