The Africa Summit at iGB L!VE 2026 showcased a variety of panel discussions concentrating on key issues such as localisation, collaboration within the sector, payment systems, and the future of sports betting alongside the challenge of combating illegal gambling activities.
In the first panel titled "Towards Cooperative African Gaming Markets: Enabling Growth through Best Practice," moderated by Robin Harrison of iGamingBusiness, prominent figures were present, including 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.
Their discussion highlighted the necessity for regulatory cooperation, regional harmonisation, and fair taxation throughout Africa's gaming landscape. Akingba noted the need for flexibility among operators by stating that "there's really no one size fit all" in addressing the variances across the continent. The panelists argued for the creation of collaborative regional networks, with Dukwana suggesting that standardising simpler issues, like consumer protection, might be a way forward.
They cautioned against excessive taxation, with Are emphasizing, "When you have a regime in which the taxes are very high, the market will not survive." Meanwhile, Guga Gotsadze, CEO of SmartSoft, cautioned companies against considering Africa as a single market. He stated, "Rather than building one regional strategy, we develop market specific approaches. Understanding those differences is what creates sustainable growth."
Olabimpe Akingba stressed the importance of partnership between regulators and operators to balance taxation and ensure industry survival, noting, "There’s a level at which you can tax that could completely wipe out the industry."
The second panel focused on "The Future of Taxation, Channelisation and Sustainable Market Growth," featuring H2 Gambling Capital’s Managing Director Ed Birkin, pawaTech’s CCO Dan Thomson, and Dukwana. They explored the critical balance between tax policies and market channelisation. Dukwana asserted that local enforcement in South Africa actively targets illegal operators, saying, "There is no illegal operator or offshore operator that should be comfortable in the South African space."
Thomson revealed that pawaTech had withdrawn from three African markets over the last 18 months due to unfavorable tax conditions. "This is an industry that could grow for the next 20 years, where there’s a load of operators happy to pay significant levels of tax," he explained, adding that aggressive tax policies could drive investment away. Gotsadze pointed to the necessity of clear and fair regulations to foster a healthy ecosystem within the iGaming industry.
Next, a panel led by Lois Bright of Gaming Advisory Partners examined "Localisation & Cultural Considerations of Adapting Global Products for Local Audiences." Bright was joined by Christian Rajter of Split the Pot, Gail Odgers, General Manager of Virgin Bet South Africa, and Simon Munsamy, Managing Director of Playtech Africa. Odgers highlighted the need for continuous product evolution based on market insights to accommodate diverse audiences, while Rajter emphasized the importance of listening to local players to enhance product relevance.
Munsamy suggested flexibility in approach, warning against blanket strategies for localisation, with Gotsadze noting, "Localisation should never compromise product quality or identity."
The fourth panel discussed "Cracking African Payments: Mobile Money, KYC, AML and the Compliance Puzzle." Chaired by Charles Ekundayo from the Africa Gaming Expo, speakers included Anthony Prissman from Super Group, Denis Mudene Ngabirano from Uganda's National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board, and Conor O’Donovan from Tekkorp Capital. Prissman explained how mobile money has transformed transaction dynamics in Africa, stating, "If you’re not trusted, no one’s going to come and bet with you."
Though mobile money offers a cost-effective channel in certain areas, O’Donovan pointed out that it can be less effective in others. Ngabirano remarked that Uganda's gambling age of 25 pushes younger individuals toward illegal markets, necessitating a shift to risk-based Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures. Prissman was candid about the challenges of pan-African KYC technology, stating, "That idea is a long way away."
Finally, the summit concluded with a discussion on "Sports Betting in Africa: Combining Local Passion with Product Innovation." Kyle Goldsmith of iGamingBusiness moderated this final panel featuring Martin Sack of Gaming Advisory Partners and William Scott, non-executive director at Ithuba Holdings. Both underscored that football remains a fundamental driver of sports betting growth in Africa. Sack added that improved infrastructure, payment processes, and mobile adoption contribute significantly to this growth, while cautioning that ineffective products cannot be salvaged by marketing. "If you have a bad product, you can’t put lipstick on a pig," he noted. Gotsadze reiterated the cultural significance of football across African markets, affirming its role in engaging players, stating, "Football is unquestionably the dominant sport across most African markets."
The summit provided critical insights into the evolving landscape of Africa's gaming industry, with calls for a focused approach to regulation, taxation, and product adaptation.
