Egypt to lead Africa’s gaming market in 2025 with $368m revenue, report shows
Egypt takes the lead in Africa’s gaming market in 2025 while Nigeria remains the continent’s largest player base.
Egypt.- Egypt is set to generate $368m in gaming revenue and host more than 20 million players in 2025, according to a recently released report by Maliyo Games. The report shows that Egypt is expected to lead the continent in gaming growth and is forecast to make a major impact on Africa’s gaming industry.
While Egypt leads in revenue and growth, the report notes that Nigeria retains Africa’s largest gamer base. “Nigeria retains Africa’s largest gamer base, with 46.5 million players, though its revenue is estimated at $250m to $300m, highlighting the difference between player numbers and monetisation,” the report states.
In regard to the other countries, South Africa follows with 26.5 million gamers generating $278m, while Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire are emerging markets earning $46m and $31.9m, respectively. Together, these countries contribute to Africa’s $2.1bn gaming market, spanning 349 million gamers.
Hugo Obi, Founder of Nigerian Maliyo Games, highlighted the challenges and pioneering efforts driving Africa’s esports scene. “Today’s industry rests largely on the efforts of a few determined individuals and companies; pioneers who have navigated structural, institutional and social challenges to lay esports’ foundation in Nigeria,” said Obi, according to PocketGamer.biz.
Mobile and esports power Africa
Mobile continues to dominate the African gaming landscape. In Nigeria, 90 percent of gamers play on smartphones, a trend mirrored in Egypt, where widespread mobile accessibility and payment infrastructure are expected to drive engagement and revenue. This shift is reshaping how audiences interact with games and creating new opportunities for developers and investors alike.
Breaking down esports revenue by country, Africa’s competitive gaming scene is currently valued at $40m and projected to surpass $60m by 2025. South Africa leads with esports revenue estimated between $7m and $10m, drawing 3 million viewers, followed by Egypt with revenue expected to be between $5m and $7m, attracting 6 million viewers. Despite its 235 million population, Nigeria ranks third with $3m to $6m in revenue and 1 to 3 million viewers.
Smaller markets like Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire are still developing, generating less than $2m each with audiences below 1.5 million.
Obi added: “Our desire to play, connect and create is as vital to our humanity as our need for shelter. Increasingly, those needs are being met through digital and interactive spaces where the controller or phone becomes a portal to competition, collaboration and community.”
Egypt’s forecasted rise highlights the rapid evolution of Africa’s gaming ecosystem. While Nigeria dominates in player numbers, Egypt demonstrates how strategic monetisation and mobile-first adoption could propel a market to the top, with Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire also positioned to benefit from the continent’s mobile gaming revolution.
