The Africa Summit at iGB L!VE 2026 addressed crucial issues affecting the continent's gaming industry, including the significance of localisation, the need for cooperation among stakeholders, and the ongoing challenge of illegal market activity.
Kicking off the discussions, Robin Harrison, the Global Content Director at iGamingBusiness, moderated a panel focused on cooperative African gaming markets. Participants included Lungile Dukwana, CEO of the South African National Gambling Board, Bashir Are, CEO of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, and Olabimpe Akingba, responsible gaming head at pawaTech. They delved into regional harmonisation, regulatory collaboration, and equitable taxation within Africa's gaming landscape. Akingba noted the necessity for flexibility, stating, "there's really no one size fits all" for operators across the continent. Dukwana proposed that the first step towards harmonisation could be as simple as agreeing on consumer protection standards.
The panelists cautioned against overly aggressive tax policies, with Are emphasizing that excessive taxation could threaten the market’s viability. Guga Gotsadze, CEO of SmartSoft, added that companies should not attempt to view Africa as a monolithic market, suggesting tailored strategies for each country instead: "Rather than building one regional strategy, we develop market specific approaches."
In a subsequent discussion regarding taxation and market sustainability, Ed Birkin, Managing Director of H2 Gambling Capital, pawaTech's CCO Dan Thomson, and Dukwana explored the nuances of tax policy in the industry. Dukwana reaffirmed local authorities' proactive stance against illegal or offshore operators. Thomson illustrated how pawaTech has withdrawn from three African markets in the past 18 months due to unfeasible tax rates, stressing that while the industry holds immense growth potential, continuous tax pressure could undermine profit incentives: "We are not NGOs; we are commercial entities."
The emphasis then shifted to localisation and how the gaming sector can better cater to diverse African audiences. Lois Bright, a co-founder of Gaming Advisory Partners, led this panel featuring leaders from various gaming companies, including Gail Odgers from Virgin Bet and Christian Rajter of Split the Pot. Odgers highlighted the importance of adapting products to resonate culturally, saying it demands ongoing insights and adjustments. Rajter reinforced the need for open communication with local markets, asserting that understanding player needs is vital.
Next, the summit addressed the evolving payments landscape, particularly the role of mobile money in African gambling. Chairing the panel, Charles Ekundayo, CEO of Africa Gaming Expo, joined forces with Anthony Prissman from Super Group and Denis Mudene Ngabirano, CEO of the Ugandan National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board. Prissman remarked on the transformative nature of mobile money, noting that trust is crucial for success in transactions. However, O'Donovan warned that mobile money isn't universally cost-effective across all markets.
Finally, the summit concluded with insights into African sports betting, moderated by Kyle Goldsmith, Emerging Markets Editor at iGamingBusiness. Martin Sack from Gaming Advisory Partners and William Scott of Ithuba Holdings discussed football's dominance as a catalyst for growth in sports betting. Sack argued that infrastructure and payment advancements are pivotal to this growth and cautioned against viewing sponsorship as a panacea for inherent systemic issues.
The summit's discussions underscored that, while opportunities are abundant, a nuanced approach considering local dynamics is essential for sustainable growth in Africa's gaming sector.
