Interview with Paradise Games on eSports Situation (1) African Gaming Market Expansion

Overview

According to a survey by JETRO, Africa's gaming market reached approximately $1.8 billion in 2024, recording a growth of 12.4% year-on-year, significantly exceeding the global average of 2.1%. Mobile games account for about 90% of the market, with 32 million new gamers added, bringing the total number of African gamers to an estimated 349 million. This growth is driven by the world's largest young population (70% under 30 years old), smartphone penetration, and internet proliferation. According to CEO Bakayoko of Paradise Game in Côte d'Ivoire, the country holds an important position in West Africa's e-sports market. The FEJA (African Electronic Gaming Festival) held since 2017 is recognized as the largest e-sports event in French-speaking Africa, with thousands of participants from neighboring countries. In 2024, it hosted Africa's first "Tekken" World Tour tournament qualifier, with a visit from Bandai Namco Studio's Katsuhiro Harada. The company operates West Africa's largest gaming center and develops multi-faceted businesses including e-sports tournament hosting, educational programs, and multimedia content production. Future plans include business expansion across Africa and development of 100% African-made content.