The 11th annual Sports Betting West Africa+ (SBWA+) Summit and the 2nd annual Gaming Event Francophone Africa (GEFA) 2026 are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, at the King Fahd Palace Hôtel in Dakar, Senegal. This significant three-day event will be a major hub for gaming operators, regulatory bodies, state lotteries, fintech innovators, legal experts, and technology providers from West and Francophone Africa to convene.
**Event Highlights by Day**
**Day 1 | Wednesday, 14 October 2026 | Official Welcoming & SBWA+ Eventus Awards Evening**
The summit will officially open on Wednesday evening with the SBWA+ Welcoming & Eventus Awards Evening from 17:30 to 21:00. This inaugural night will provide attendees with a chance to reconnect with industry colleagues and forge new business relationships. A key feature will be the SBWA+ Eventus Awards 2026, recognizing organizations and individuals for excellence in leadership, regulatory adherence, and technological advancement within the African gaming sector.
**Day 2 | Thursday, 15 October 2026 | Dual-Stream Conference, Expo & SBWA+ Harmony**
The second day will feature an extensive dual-stream conference alongside an exhibition floor that brings together influential stakeholders from both Anglophone and Francophone regions. Topics for the SBWA+ stream include:
– **Taxing the Game:** Balancing governmental revenue with industry growth
– **Protecting the Digital Player:** Ensuring data security and platform integrity
– **Ethical Promotion:** Marketing and affiliate strategies in regulated environments
In the GEFA stream, discussions will center around:
– **Senegal: Africa’s Gaming Capital:** Developing a strategic hub for innovation, regulation, and investment
– **The Cashless Playbook:** Enhancing mobile payments, instant payouts, and security in Francophone Africa
– **Unlocking Francophone Africa:** Payments, localization, and the prospects for iGaming expansion
The day will conclude with SBWA+ Harmony (an invitation-only dinner from 18:00 to 23:00), sponsored by BetConstruct AI. This exclusive gathering will offer C-level delegates a gourmet dining experience, regional entertainment, and premium networking opportunities with top African decision-makers.
**Day 3 | Friday, 16 October 2026 | Product Innovation, Marketing & Strategic Outlook**
The summit's final day will focus on driving commercial growth, product development, and exploring future industry trends. Sessions will include:
– **Marketing Intelligence:** The transformative impact of AI on player engagement
– **The Social Bet:** Utilizing social media for player engagement
– **Affiliate Economies:** Cultivating high-performance partnerships
**Meet the Distinguished Speaker Lineup**
The 2026 edition features an exceptional roster of speakers from across the continent, including:
– **Geoffrey Muindi:** Managing Director of Gaming NewsByte and Africa Brand Ambassador at Eventus International (SBWA+ 2026 Chairperson)
– **Iretiayo Bola Obasunloye:** Legal and Compliance Officer at KC Gaming Networks Ltd (Bet9ja)
– **Maroba Matsapola (Dr):** Board Member at ALGA
– **Moustapha Camara:** Chairman of the Board of Directors, Senegal National Lottery (LONASE)
– **Olajumoke Odudimu:** Legal/Company Secretary at VELEX ADVISORY LIMITED
**Final Call for Registrations**
With final arrangements underway, Eventus International encourages all C-suite executives, operators, regulators, and stakeholders to secure their registrations soon. Qualified African operators and affiliates may apply for complimentary passes, subject to approval and availability. Standard and VIP passes offer access to all conference streams, daily networking lunches, refreshment breaks, and the official Welcoming Evening. There is a limited-time promo code for a 10% discount on Premium and Standard Delegate Passes: SBWA1WEEK10. Also, sponsors and exhibitors can find branding and display packages available to connect with senior decision-makers and regional regulators directly.
