logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
18m 32s

Can Africa win at gaming?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

The business of gaming and ‘Esports’ is growing in Africa, with an estimated $1 billion dollars expected to be spent by gamers across the continent this year. But it faces challenges, from internet connectivity to investment to cultural representation.

Africa does have around 40 studios creating games, but those in the business say it needs better understanding from governments and investment from sponsors to realise it’s true potential. So we brought together two enthusiasts who have one foot in the gaming side and one foot in the business side, to hear their stories.

Guests: Krystel Kalanga, a gamer and entrepreneur from the Democratic Republic of Congo and founder of ‘Manga and Geek day’, and Cholwe Shabukali a gamer and entrepreneur from Zambia and founder of Team Gematrix which competes in Esports competitions

Up next
Oct 2025
Tanzanian elections: What issues are young people concerned about?
As Tanzania gears up for elections on 29 October, we hear from two young people about the issues that matter to them and whether youth concerns have been featured in the electoral campaigns.How a young Senegalese footballer's dream of joining a professional club ended in tragedy ... Show More
33m 44s
Oct 2025
Focus on Africa: Hundreds of stolen social media identities used to spread propaganda
A BBC investigation uncovers dozens of social accounts using stolen identities of Somali and Muslim influencers and posting political propaganda content. We hear more about what was uncovered and who might be behind this widespread operation.Chad’s parliament has overwhelmingly a ... Show More
32m 11s
Oct 2025
Focus on Africa Can DRC be declared ebola free?
The last ebola patient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been released from a treatment centre in Kasai province. Can the country now be declared free of this latest outbreak?What is behind the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea over control of the Red Sea ... Show More
29m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2022
Loading, fast – The business behind gaming
The gaming market is making headlines and hitting all-time records. And all eyes are on the industry's next move. In this episode, you'll hear from experts at Strategy& and Stillfront as they examine this sheer growth and deconstruct the video gaming market to highlight fascinati ... Show More
31 m
Jun 2011
Can you make a living playing games?
<p>For video game buffs, it seems like the deal of a lifetime: What if you could play games for a living? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a closer look at what it takes to become a professional gamer -- and how it might not be as fun as it sounds.</p><p> </p> Learn more abou ... Show More
34m 12s
Nov 2023
The rise of women in eSports
<p>Kim Chakanetsa speaks to two professional e-sport gamers who earn their living playing online.</p><p>Julia 'Bish' Robson is a prominent gamer and Twitch streamer who tailors her content for a South African audience. She also hosts LAN events - days of gaming in large conferenc ... Show More
27m 18s
Jul 2023
Investing in Africa: Media
We look into the growth of foreign investment in Africa’s media space. Africa is generating a huge amount of localized content as international streaming platforms and global media organisations battle to gain a foothold in the market. We find out what’s driving the interest and ... Show More
18m 21s
Sep 2025
Is there a future for the ‘Amazon of Africa’?
Ecommerce start-up Jumia was supposed to become the “Amazon of Africa”. Its prospects seemed promising after raising close to $800mn prior to its IPO in 2019 — more than any African start-up. But in the years since, things haven’t gone the way investors probably hoped. The FT’s w ... Show More
24m 4s
Oct 2021
China's gaming crackdown
Why the government doesn't like video games, and what's next for China's gaming culture. Ed Butler speaks to Josh Ye, who covers gaming for the South China Morning Post, and Professor Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute. German professional League of Legends player ... Show More
18m 8s
Sep 2020
Venture capital in Africa
Funding for African tech start-ups is booming. But only if you’re not African. Odunayo Eweniyi, is the co-founder of the first online savings and investment app in West Africa, Piggyvest. She tells Tamasin Ford about how hard it was to convince Western based Venture Capitalists t ... Show More
17m 28s