At ICE Barcelona 2026, Ronnie Whelan, CEO of KingMakers, engaged in a fireside chat with Olga Resiga, chief business development officer at SOFTSWISS, to discuss the operator's strategy and ambitions within the African market.
Whelan highlighted Africa's significant growth potential, citing factors such as increasing smartphone penetration, improved mobile data infrastructure, and a youthful population. He remarked, "Those two things combined really give the platform for it to be a successful market." While historically, many large global operators have avoided the region, Whelan noted that rising growth metrics are difficult to overlook.
Emphasizing the need for a market-specific approach, Whelan stated that Africa is not homogenous but rather consists of diverse jurisdictions. He advised, "There should be a customized approach to each market," explaining that a one-size-fits-all strategy would be ineffective. For example, he pointed out that the South African gaming scene leans more towards slots, whereas sports betting is more prevalent in Nigeria.
Looking to the future, Whelan encouraged fellow operators to focus on fewer markets, execute effectively, and refrain from wasting capital without a proper understanding of local demand. He also mentioned that cryptocurrency and stablecoins could serve as valuable tools, provided they are used responsibly within regulated frameworks.
