jili tutorial

African Gaming Forum: A Comprehensive Guide to Regulation and Growth Across Africa’s Key Markets

By jili tutorial · September 17, 2026

African Gaming Forum: A Comprehensive Guide to Regulation and Growth Across Africa’s Key Markets

Introduction: Why Africa’s Gaming Industry Demands a Dedicated Forum

Africa’s gaming sector is expanding at an unprecedented pace, driven by a young, mobile-first population and increasing internet penetration. However, the continent is far from a single market—each jurisdiction operates under distinct regulatory, commercial, and cultural conditions. To address this complexity, the African Gaming Forum will convene senior stakeholders from across Africa on Wednesday, 30 September at the Myriad Hotel in Lisbon. This invite-only event, running as part of the broader SBC Summit, offers a full day of discussions tailored to the challenges and opportunities facing both established and emerging African gaming markets.

The forum is designed not as a generic industry conference but as a focused dialogue where regulators, operators, and industry bodies can exchange real-world insights. As Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, explains: “Africa is not one market. Each jurisdiction is developing under different regulatory, commercial, and cultural conditions, and that means the challenges and opportunities vary significantly from country to country. The African Gaming Forum is designed to reflect that reality, giving delegates the chance to hear directly from the people working in those markets and understand what growth looks like on the ground.”

The Big Picture: Understanding Africa’s Regulatory Landscape

A Continent of Contrasts

Africa’s gaming industry ranges from well-established markets like South Africa, with decades of formal regulation, to nascent jurisdictions like Ethiopia, where recent bans have reshaped the landscape. Key challenges include:

These factors create both obstacles and opportunities for operators seeking pan-African growth. The forum’s agenda directly tackles these themes through dedicated sessions on specific countries and cross-cutting regulatory discussions.

Forum Structure: A Day of Deep Dives

The programme is organised around five country-specific panels and two high-level cross-regional sessions, complemented by networking opportunities. Below is a detailed breakdown of each session, enriched with context and analysis.

Session 1: GRAF Regulator Panel – African Gaming Under the Microscope

When: Opening keynote
Hosted by: Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF)
Panellists:

What to expect: This session sets the tone by examining how regulators and operators can build frameworks that encourage innovation while strengthening compliance, player protection, and responses to unregulated activity. Given South Africa’s position as one of the continent’s most mature markets, insights from regulators like Dukwana and Mtsweni will be particularly valuable. The discussion will likely explore:

Session 2: CEO Panel – Leading the Way: Scaling the Opportunity in Africa

Panellists:

Key themes: This panel addresses the practical realities of scaling in Africa. With a focus on the continent’s young, mobile-first audience (the median age is under 20 in many countries), operators must consider:

Session 3: Ghana – A New Entry to the Big 4: Gaming in Ghana Continues Apace

Panellists:

Context: Ghana has rapidly emerged as one of Africa’s most dynamic gaming markets, joining South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya in the “Big 4.” The country’s population of 33 million, high mobile penetration, and relatively progressive regulation have attracted operators like Betfox and Mybet Africa. However, the market faces challenges:

The panel will explore whether Ghana can sustain its upward trajectory and what further regulatory development—such as a unified licensing framework for online and land-based—could mean for operators.

Session 4: Kenya – A Whole New World: Kenya and the Gambling Control Act

Panellists:

Why it matters: Kenya’s gaming industry has been in flux since the Gambling Control Act was passed in 2023. The Act introduced a new regulatory body, stricter licensing conditions, and higher taxes. For operators like SportPesa (once the market leader) and B2 Tech (a platform provider), the implications are significant:

This session will examine how the Act could reshape Kenya’s market, including the potential for consolidation and the role of mobile money (M-Pesa) in driving growth.

Session 5: Nigeria – Regulatory Uncertainty vs Economic Opportunity

Panellists: Not listed in the agenda, but the session tackles one of Africa’s largest gaming economies.

Key issues: Nigeria’s gaming market is estimated to be worth over $2 billion, but it remains fragmented between state regulators (e.g., Lagos State Lotteries Board) and federal oversight (National Lottery Regulatory Commission). Operators face:

The panel will explore how greater cooperation between state authorities, regulators, and operators could unlock further growth—perhaps through a federal framework that harmonises tax rates and licensing.

Session 6: South Africa – Will New Taxes Lead to Responsible Growth?

Context: South Africa has the most established gaming regulation in Africa, with the National Gambling Act (2004) and provincial licensing. However, recent tax proposals have sparked debate:

Session 7: Ethiopia – After the Ban: What’s Next for Ethiopian iGaming?

Background: Ethiopia banned all forms of iGaming in 2020, citing social and religious concerns. The move effectively shut down a nascent online sector that had been growing via mobile money (TeleBirr) and international platforms. However, the ban has proven difficult to enforce, and there are signs of a potential policy shift.

What the session will cover: The panel will discuss whether a new regulatory framework could provide a route back for licensed operators, and what lessons Ethiopia can learn from neighbouring countries like Kenya and Uganda. Key considerations include:

Networking and Partnerships: Building Connections That Last

Beyond the formal sessions, the African Gaming Forum includes dedicated networking opportunities throughout the day. These allow attendees to continue discussions one-on-one, forge partnerships, and share grassroots insights.

The forum is delivered in partnership with three key organisations:

Together, these partners ensure the discussions reflect the real-world conditions of individual African markets, not just top-down perspectives.

How to Attend: Invite-Only Access

Attendance at the African Gaming Forum is invite-only. To be considered, you must hold a valid SBC Summit or Affiliate Leaders Summit pass. If you meet this criterion, you can register your interest via the official registration link.

Why invite-only?

The forum is intentionally exclusive to foster candid conversations among decision-makers. By limiting attendance to pre-vetted stakeholders—regulators, C-level operators, and industry association leaders—the event avoids the noise of large conventions and ensures every participant can contribute meaningfully.

Conclusion: A Critical Moment for African Gaming

The African Gaming Forum arrives at a pivotal time. As markets like Ghana and Kenya mature, while Nigeria and South Africa grapple with tax reforms, and Ethiopia debates a return to regulation, the continent needs coordinated dialogue. This forum offers a rare opportunity for stakeholders to align on best practices, share hard-won lessons, and chart a sustainable path forward.

For operators looking to grow across Africa, attending is not just about learning—it’s about becoming part of the ecosystem that will define the industry’s next decade.