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SBC and GRAF form strategic partnership to strengthen regulatory dialogue

By jili tutorial · September 2, 2026

SBC and GRAF Form Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Regulatory Dialogue Across Africa’s Gaming Markets

SBC and the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF) have announced a new strategic partnership aimed at deepening regulatory dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration across Africa’s fast-evolving gaming landscape.

Partnership Overview: Two Key Events, One Shared Vision

Under the agreement, SBC will support the GRAF 2026 Conference, scheduled for 14–17 September 2026 at the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre in Maputo, Mozambique. In return, GRAF will serve as an Event Partner for the African Gaming Forum, which takes place during the SBC Summit 2026 in Lisbon.

At the Lisbon event, GRAF will take a central role in the African Gaming Forum’s regulatory programme. It will host a dedicated panel titled “GRAF: African Gaming Under the Microscope”, featuring senior representatives from gaming authorities across the continent.

African Gaming Forum: An Invite-Only Industry Gathering

The African Gaming Forum will be an invite-only session held on Wednesday, 30 September, from 11:30 to 19:00 at the Myriad Hotel in Lisbon. It will bring together regulators, operators, and other senior stakeholders for a focused day of discussion on the opportunities, challenges, and regulatory developments shaping gaming in Africa.

Why This Partnership Matters

The collaboration unites two organisations with a shared goal: building stronger ties between Africa’s regulatory authorities and the wider international gaming industry.

Quotes from Leadership

Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said:

“Africa is not one gaming market. Every jurisdiction is developing at its own pace, with different regulatory frameworks, priorities, and challenges. If we want to have meaningful conversations about the future of gaming across the continent, regulators need to be at the centre of them.
“That is what makes this partnership with GRAF so important. They bring together the people actually shaping gaming regulation across Africa, and through the African Gaming Forum we can create a space where those perspectives are heard alongside those of operators and the wider industry.
“We are also very pleased to support GRAF’s own event in Maputo. This is not about a one-off collaboration in Lisbon. We see a real opportunity to support greater knowledge exchange between African jurisdictions and connect those conversations with the international gaming community.”

Reuben Mabutho Zwane, President of GRAF, commented:

“This partnership marks an important step in strengthening Africa’s voice within the global gaming conversation. It is essential that African regulators have a strong platform through which to exchange experience, engage internationally, and help shape the conversations that increasingly influence the future of our industry.
“We are particularly pleased that the partnership creates a two-way platform: SBC will support the continued development of GRAF’s work in bringing African regulators together, while GRAF will contribute directly to the international dialogue through the African Gaming Forum at SBC Summit. We look forward to working with SBC and regulatory colleagues across the continent to advance that shared agenda.”

Confirmed Regulatory Participants from Key African Markets

The African Gaming Forum has already confirmed participation from senior regulatory representatives across several key markets:

Additional regulatory representatives from across the continent are expected to join.

Forum Programme: Key Topics and Themes

The regulatory discussion will be part of a broader programme examining the most significant developments in African gaming. Sessions will cover:

Event Details: SBC Summit 2026

The African Gaming Forum will take place during SBC Summit 2026, SBC’s flagship global event. The summit will welcome 40,000 industry professionals to the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) and MEO Arena from 29 September to 1 October.

Access to the African Gaming Forum is by invitation only. Interested parties can register their interest here.