South African Game Development and Esports Consortium Redefines the African Gaming Economy

Esports and game development have gained significant traction globally, particularly in regions like Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Major cities around the world now regularly host spectacular gaming and esports events, highlighting the industry’s impact on emerging markets, including Africa.

In Africa, the game development and esports ecosystem is rapidly evolving, with several small-scale businesses and individual entrepreneurs making notable strides both locally and on the international stage.

To further accelerate the industry’s growth, a new initiative has emerged in South Africa: the AfriGames Consortium. This consortium aims to elevate South Africa’s gaming industry beyond its borders and serve as a blueprint for building regional gaming and esports conglomerates across the continent.

The AfriGames Consortium was officially launched at the Goethe-Institute SA in Johannesburg. The event brought together key industry players, stakeholders, and government representatives, all in support of this new organisation.

The consortium is made up of several prominent entities: ITThynk Gaming, a consulting and gaming ecosystem development firm; the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct at Wits University; Africa Games Week; Leaders in Motion Academy; and the German-based gaming accelerator, SpielFabrique. Each of these organisations brings years of expertise to the table, fostering collaboration and creating new opportunities in the African gaming industry.

The AfriGames Consortium has secured funding of R12.9 million through the Jobs Fund, a grant program managed by the South African National Treasury. Additional support has come from EOH and Absa Bank. Combined with contributions from consortium members, the total investment in this initiative amounts to R25.8 million. Further backing comes from the South African Department of Communication and Sports as well as the Department of Arts and Culture.

With this funding, the AfriGames Consortium plans to create over 100 new jobs and train 120 young people in the local gaming sector within the next two years. The consortium also aims to establish six new gaming and esports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) during this period.

Leading the initiative is ITThynk Gaming, which will spearhead the development of an adventure game aimed at the global market, titled Khamani: The Lion of Summer. Additionally, The Academy of Digital Arts will provide training in game development to individuals looking to break into the industry. The involvement of SpielFabrique, the German partner, will help showcase African talent and locally developed games on the international stage.

As a central hub for talent development, the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct will provide a platform for skills transfer, adapting new technologies, and fostering knowledge sharing. This collaboration, combined with the backing of South African universities, will help nurture and grow the talent pool in the gaming industry.

The creation of the AfriGames Consortium stands as a testament to the power of collaboration within the gaming industry. It provides a sustainable structure for growth and positions South Africa and Africa more broadly to make significant contributions to the global gaming and esports economy.