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ESport and video games, the new African passion

The video game market represents more than 300 billion dollars in revenue worldwide. This video game industry now weighs heavier than those of music and cinema combined, particularly in China, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. But markets in Africa and the Middle East are currently gaining momentum, with the rise of mobile and a growing community of gamers.

The number of video game players worldwide, at the end of 2021, is estimated at 2.7 billion people, which represents more than a third of the world's population. According to a study by the Dutch specialist firm Newzoo, 14% of these "gamers", or around 380 million players, reside in Africa and the Middle East. The vast majority of them indulge their passion recreationally and most of the time on mobile, rather than on a console or computer.


But many African players have moved up a gear by engaging in online esports or electronic sports competitions. With the development of internet infrastructure, this phenomenon now affects many countries on the continent, explains Nicolas Choite, president of the Bunker Republic of Gamers. Its structure BK Rog organizes pan-African football game tournaments and "multiplayer online arena fights" or Moba, which fascinate thousands of Africans both as players and spectators on the web.


“It is a phenomenon which is in full expansion, in 2020 confinement has greatly favored it. With our partner Orange, we have organized video game competitions called Orange Esport Experience which have taken place in 17 countries and this year we have integrated the latest version of the game FIFA into the competitions. For the participants, it is the possibility of meeting during these tournaments, of exchanging and then playing together, this is exactly what Africans are looking for. But beyond the competition, these tournaments make it possible to recreate a social fabric and to perpetuate it. For example, Nigeria now has a large platform that brings together 33,000 regular players, offering the opportunity to communicate, to be able to evolve, to progress and to give advice to other participants on games. For example, this is the case with fighting team combat events, for which you have to train for a long time before becoming a champion! »


The reasons for this craze for video games in Africa are multiple. While the Covid-19 pandemic and successive confinements have accelerated the movement, the development of telecoms infrastructure on the continent in urban areas has favored the development of mobile games. In addition, the International Olympic Committee plans to integrate several esports disciplines at the next Los Angeles Olympic Games, which will take place in 2028. A global meeting that African video game champions will not want to miss under any circumstances.


Dominique Desaunay

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