Africa and Middle East Games Market Forecast to Reach $8.5bn as African Gamer Base Hits 406m

Summary

According to a new report from Carry1st and Newzoo, the games market in Africa and the Middle East is forecast to reach $8.53 billion in 2026, up 10.3% year-over-year. Africa's games revenue grew 11.9% yoy to $1.98 billion, nearly twice the global market's growth rate of 6.1%. The report also projects that Africa's gamer population will surpass 406 million, driven by mobile adoption, improving internet infrastructure, and a young demographic profile. This marks a significant shift as the region moves from the periphery to the mainstream of the global gaming industry. The rapid growth presents opportunities for publishers and investors to localize content and payment solutions, while also empowering local developers and startups to build a self-sustaining ecosystem. The region's gaming revenue is expected to maintain double-digit growth through 2026, making it an increasingly vital market for the industry. Game companies that ignore this trend risk missing out on one of the fastest-growing player bases in the world.