By Abdi Ali
Published June 24, 2022
E-sports, that is defined as a multiplayer video game played competitively for spectators, typically by professional gamers, is currently gaining popularity across many African countries.
E-sports in Africa
The invention of the internet and information technology has been significantly impacted by young people. Africa is one of the youngest continents in the world as more than half of its population consists of youth.
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Kenya, in East Africa, is one of the countries where sports betting in general and eSports in particular, is getting entrenched in its culture. As such it isn’t surprising that there are many sites dedicated towards this industry; one such site is Bettors Kenya which offers odds on top gaming competitions throughout the region.
Africa also has a lot of potential for the development of professional esports teams. There are many talented gamers on the continent, and with the right support, they could go on to compete at the highest level.
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Though there are already some professional teams from Africa that are making a name for themselves on the international stage, it is expected that there will be many more in the future.
Africa’s online potential has attracted various companies which have started showing interest in various African countries to support them by making innovative plans to improve technological development.
Founders of these companies have noted that most African countries have many fluent English speakers, which is a tremendous advantage for expansion of eSports across the continent.
Most African players have accomplished eSports tournaments and opened doors for other Africans to participate in various games. For example, Sylvia Gathoni is one of the first Kenyan females to participate in eSports championships, complete with international sponsorship.
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Factors that Hinder the Growth of E-sports in Africa
E-sports may be taking over the African continent, but some of the factors hindering its growth include:
- Slow Broadband Invasion
There is still slow internet and cellular penetration in most African countries compared to western countries.
- Inadequate Legal Agency
There may be cases of conflicts between the game organizers and the players. Therefore, a legal agent is required to address such issues, but there are still inadequate legal agencies in Africa.
- Complexity of Gadgets
E-sports require gamers to possess advanced gadgets and electronics, which may be very complicated and expensive for African gamers to afford.
- Inadequate Sponsorship
Most African gamers usually find it to be certified for international eSports championships because game authors and creators in advanced countries scarcely partner with Africans,
Conclusion
The growth of eSports in the African continent is an ongoing process, but some factors may hinder the growth of eSports in Africa. Slow broadband penetration and lack of African gamers’ sponsorship impede the rise of eSports in Africa.
