Eventus International has confirmed its African event lineup for 2024. Spanning the South, North, East, and West regions of Africa, the events are tailored for gaming professionals and serve as guides to emerging African markets, in addition to merging local insights with global trends.
As Eventus International’s flagship event and longest-running summit, the 10th Annual Edition of the BiG Africa Summit returns to Johannesburg from March 25 – 27.
According to Eventus, this milestone summit promises to be the largest conference and exhibition since its inception, “emerging as a standout gathering on the iGaming calendar.” Drawing gaming experts from various African regions and beyond, the event fosters face-to-face interactions with key industry decision-makers.
It should be noted that South Africa’s iGaming market leads the African industry. With a tech-savvy population and 43 million internet users as of 2023, the market holds significant potential for digital expansion. Despite offshore exploration, the surge in online sports betting and casinos shows substantial domestic demand. With over 40% of the population actively engaged in iGaming and an annual revenue of approximately $1.8 billion, South Africa’s gaming landscape remains ripe for prospecting.
Recent powerful partnerships are making headlines in the sector. Shape Games, a prominent B2B provider acquired by Kambi, strategically collaborates with SunBet under the Sun International Group, expanding its presence in South Africa. Additionally, the introduction of Valorant servers amplifies the local Esports scene, potentially propelling South African teams onto the international stage.
Furthermore, Eventus announced that the 2nd annual edition of its Gaming Event Francophone Africa 2024 is set to take place from April 23 – 24 in Accra, Ghana. Bridging the gap in the French-speaking African territory, including Côte d’Ivoire, big Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, and more, the summit aims to unite Francophone African countries and address the unique needs of a niche industry “set to become a powerhouse in the African iGaming market.”
Amidst economic stability and cultural tolerance in Ghana, the nation’s iGaming sector is experiencing a noteworthy surge, propelled by increased internet penetration and a growing preference for online gaming. With a growing 23 million internet users in 2023 and 80% of Ghanaians utilizing mobile wallets, the market emerges as an alluring destination for international investment.
Notable recent entrants in Ghana include Gaming Corps, strategically partnering with Betway Africa to expand its offerings across four African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana. Pragmatic Play also strengthens its presence in Africa through a key collaboration with Ghana’s Soccabet, offering Soccabet customers access to a diverse slot game portfolio. PrideBet has also partnered with Global Pools Ltd and has introduced additional soccer jackpot games.
The 9th annual edition of the Sports Betting East Africa+ Summit will take place in Kampala, Uganda. The event will run from July 1 – 2 and will focus on the East African betting and gaming sector. Attendees can expect key business-building insights and cutting-edge trends.
Uganda is one of the latest African countries to endorse online gaming. The inclusive regulatory environment in Uganda has allowed iGaming operators to establish a robust presence, offering a diverse array of betting options and casino games to the Ugandan player base. The comparatively small African nation saw 11 million internet users in 2023, contributing to the growing popularity of online gaming.
In addition to the thriving online gaming scene, betPawa Uganda has announced its official partnership with the nation’s fastest-growing indoor football activity, futsal. Similarly, GSB Uganda has become an official partner of Uganda’s national Netball team, the She Cranes.
“These strategic partnerships not only signify a shift in international recognition of Ugandan sports betting but also showcase the growing popularity and passion for sports in the nation,” the organizer said in a press release.
Last but not least, Eventus announced that the 9th annual edition of Sports Betting West Africa+ Summit is set to return to Nigeria, this time in Abuja. From August 21 – 23, the three-day summit promises participants insightful discussions on upcoming regulatory shifts, gaming technologies, and crucial market dynamics, presented by a robust lineup of speakers and featuring leading gaming solutions experts on the exhibition floor.
As a frontrunner in West African iGaming, Nigeria has become a central hub for both online sports betting and casinos, driven by its vast population, a digitally inclined population, and hosting a robust $2 billion online sports betting industry with approximately 60 million active participants, according to Bet9ja.
As the continent’s largest economy, Nigeria’s iGaming market is reaching new heights, particularly in the sports betting sector. Supplier 7777 Gaming fortified its foothold through a strategic portfolio integration with BetBonanza. Meanwhile, Denmark-based affiliate Better Collective forged a media partnership with leading Nigerian news media company, Punch. The popularity of La Liga Santander and the English Premier League further fuels betting activities, providing Nigerians with an immersive connection to their favorite sports.
“Setting the stage for breakthrough success, these upcoming summits aim to merge up-and-coming African markets with global trends and perspectives. Don’t just witness the change, be the change and secure your pass at one or more of our African events,” Eventus concluded.