The African iGaming Alliance (AiA) has entered into a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Gaming Operators of Kenya (AGOK) to enhance collaboration within the gaming sector.
The agreement was signed by AiA CEO Peter Kesitilwe and AGOK chief John Mutua, establishing a framework for joint efforts addressing issues relevant to Kenya and the broader African continent. Key areas of focus include regulatory matters, public policy engagement, responsible gambling, consumer protection, as well as taxation and payment systems.
In addition, the MoU fosters greater research and insight exchange between the two organizations, with expectations that AGOK's experiences can enrich discussions regarding Africa's gambling ecosystem.
Kesitilwe emphasized that this partnership is designed to fortify Kenya’s role in shaping the African gaming sector as it promotes collaboration on regulation, responsible gambling, and combating illegal operations. "Kenya is one of Africa's most important and dynamic gaming markets, and what happens here increasingly has relevance beyond Kenya's borders," he stated. "Our partnership with AGOK will create an important bridge between developments in Kenya and the wider continental conversation."
John Mutua added that the MoU would enable regulated operators in Kenya to better share their expertise across the African continent. He noted, "Through this partnership, we will be able to exchange knowledge and research, learn from developments across other African jurisdictions and contribute Kenya’s own experiences to the continental dialogue." Mutua believes that such collaboration can lead to improved policy outcomes, enhanced consumer protection, and a more sustainable environment for licensed operators.
The MoU, which runs for an initial three years, can be extended upon mutual agreement. It also encompasses opportunities for joint events like conferences, workshops, and roundtables.
The timing of this announcement is significant for the Kenyan gambling industry, which is currently at a critical juncture. The Gambling Control Act, enacted last year, was seen as the beginning of a new chapter for the industry following prior challenges. However, in July, the licensed gambling sector faced a setback when the High Court of Kenya issued a stay order halting the licensing process amidst concerns over exorbitant licensing fees. Although this order was partially lifted, allowing the licensing to proceed, it brought renewed scrutiny to the regulatory stability in Kenya.
