The Africa Summit at iGB L!VE 2026 included stimulating discussions that highlighted the significance of regional collaboration, the imperative for localization, and the ongoing battle against illegal gaming markets.
The opening panel, moderated by Robin Harrison, Global Content Director of iGamingBusiness, featured notable figures such as Lungile Dukwana, CEO of the South African National Gambling Board, Bashir Are, CEO of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, and Olabimpe Akingba, head of responsible gaming at pawaTech.
Central to their discussion was the need for regulatory harmonization and balanced tax strategies within Africa’s gaming landscape. Akingba stressed that gaming operators must remain adaptable, stating, "there's really no one size fits all" for the continent. Dukwana pointed out that a straightforward approach to harmonization involves sharing standards, particularly in consumer protection.
The panel cautioned against overly burdensome tax regimes. Are remarked, "When you have a regime in which the taxes are very high, the market will not survive." Guga Gotsadze, CEO of SmartSoft, contended that treating Africa as a single market is a misstep. "Rather than building one regional strategy, we develop market specific approaches," he explained, emphasizing that understanding local nuances is key to fostering sustainable growth. Akingba reiterated the urgency for regulators and operators to collaborate, noting that excessive taxation could threaten the industry's viability.
The second panel brought together Ed Birkin from H2 Gambling Capital, Dan Thomson, CCO of pawaTech, and Dukwana to explore the relationship between taxation, channelization, and market sustainability. Dukwana emphasized proactive local enforcement, asserting, "There is no illegal operator or offshore operator that should be comfortable in the South African space." Thomson revealed that pawaTech had exited three African jurisdictions over the past 18 months due to unworkable tax rates. He stressed that while the industry is poised for growth, punitive tax measures would stifle investment. Gotsadze reinforced the need for clear and equitable regulations that support innovation and align interests across the gaming ecosystem.
The third panel focused on the importance of localization and cultural adaptations for global products catering to local markets. Moderated by Lois Bright, Co-Founder of Gaming Advisory Partners, panelists included Christian Rajter, CEO of Split the Pot, Gail Odgers, General Manager of Virgin Bet South Africa, and Simon Munsamy, Africa Managing Director at Playtech. Odgers highlighted the challenges inherent in catering to diverse cultural demographics within countries, advocating for continuous evolution of products based on market insights. Rajter endorsed the idea of engaging directly with local consumers, stating, "You should listen to the players, should listen to the market." Gotsadze added that localization should never come at the expense of product integrity.
The fourth panel, chaired by Charles Ekundayo, CEO of Africa Gaming Expo, revolved around payment systems and the impact of mobile money on the gambling sector. Panelists included Anthony Prissman, Head of Regulatory Affairs and Licensing at Super Group, Denis Mudene Ngabirano, CEO of the Ugandan National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board, and Conor O’Donovan, Africa partner at Tekkorp Capital. Prissman discussed how mobile money has revolutionized transactions across Africa, emphasizing the importance of trust in payment systems. However, O'Donovan pointed out the varying efficiency of mobile money in different markets. Ngabirano shared concerns over Uganda’s high legal gambling age, which pushes youth towards illegal options, prompting a reconsideration of customer onboarding processes. Prissman also noted that a unified pan-African KYC technology framework is still a distant goal.
The final panel tackled the burgeoning sports betting market in Africa, led by Kyle Goldsmith, Emerging Markets Editor at iGamingBusiness. Panelists included Martin Sack, Co-Founder of Gaming Advisory Partners, and William Scott, Non-Executive Director at Ithuba Holdings. Both agreed that football remains the dominant driver of sports betting growth. Sack noted that advancements in infrastructure and payment systems are crucial for further development of the sector. He cautioned against viewing sponsorship as a panacea for underlying issues, stating, "If you have a bad product, you can’t put lipstick on a pig." Gotsadze echoed the central role of football in African culture, linking it to increased engagement within the gaming ecosystem. Sack concluded with a focus on sustainable engagement in gaming, emphasizing the importance of trust and fairness in building long-term relationships with customers.
