Africa’s women gamers are seizing opportunities in the booming esports scene, breaking barriers and paving the way for more women in the sport.
By Bonface Orucho
Twenty-six-year-old Magdaline Mumbi is living life in the fast lane. Both in real life and digitally, as an e-sports gamer whole alias is Bambina.
What once was a casual pastime opened up “a whole new world,” for Mumbi. Everything changed for her in 2018, she explained. That year, a call to participate in Safaricom’s Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) campaign transformed her perspective.
“At the time, I didn’t realise eSports was a whole industry. But by 2020, I began transitioning into administrative roles and even represented the Kenya National Team at various competitions,” she shared in an interview with Bird Story Agency.
Today, Mumbi is one of a growing number of women gamers who are taking advantage of the vast opportunities the e-gaming industry is creating especially for African youth.
Africa’s e-gaming culture is booming, driven by mobile tech, better internet, and a young, competitive population. Once male-dominated, the industry is now being reshaped by a wave of talented women, who are redefining the landscape and proving that the future of African gaming is as inclusive as it is dynamic.
According to Douglas Ogeto, a game developer and esports event organiser at the Africa eSports Championships, an esports event organising agency, “more women are coming out of the closet.”
“There was a lot of stigma around esports. During tournaments, there was little or no representation of women. It wasn’t until 2022 when we saw the greatest women’s representation when we took 5 ladies to Birmingham for the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships.”
Mumbi was one of those five.
“Between 2022 and 2024, I have been working to encourage more women to feel confident identifying as gamers… This year, I had the chance to represent Kenya in Tekken. So, to summarize, I’m a gamer first, though I’ve also taken on administrative roles in the industry,” the gamer added.
The overall number of African gamers has surged to 200 million as of 2024, according to Maliyo Games’ 2024 Africa Games Industry Report. Figures from Indian-headquartered research firm Astute Analytica show the market will undergo an annual growth rate of 19.96% during the forecast period 2025–2033.
As of 2023, South Africa led the continent in the number of gamers with 24 million gamers, or 40% of its population, followed by Ghana (27%), Nigeria (23%), Kenya (22%), and Ethiopia (13%), according to a 2023 report by Newzoo and Carry1st.
The number of women participating professionally in the growing industry has historically been low, however. According to Mumbi, there are lots of barriers that stand in the way for women.
“Beyond the general challenges like limited funding, lack of sponsorships, and inadequate infrastructure, being a woman in this space comes with its own hurdles,” she shared.
“Discrimination is common, and I’ve even experienced sexual harassment during competitions, like one incident in Congo. There’s also the constant pressure to prove that women can excel in gaming.”
However, despite these challenges, Mumbi and a crop of other women gamers are carving a niche for themselves in the industry.
Mumbi, for instance, last month represented Kenya at the Kongo Esports Championship in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where she played Tekken 8, the eighth series of the fighting game, Tekken.
“It was humbling and exciting. It’s amazing to see people believe in my dream as much as I do, especially since gaming goes against traditional career paths. My family didn’t understand it at first, but over time, they’ve become my biggest supporters,” she explained.
“I also play FIFA, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and MLBB. eSports is still in its infancy here, and the industry is multifaceted. Unlike traditional sports like basketball, eSports involves a wide range of games, each with its own dynamics,” she added.
The Kongo Esports Championship brought together gamers from 8 countries between November 22 to 24, at the Manga & Geek Days Festival in Kinshasa, DRC. It was organized by SAGES Africa (Services for Africa Gaming & Esports) who also organized the inaugural Swahili Esports Champions 2023 in Nairobi.
SAGES recently organized the 2024 Mzansi Esports Championships in Johannesburg from November 30 to December 1. The event was part of the “Tekken Africa Queens Challenge,” a strategy by SAGES Africa and Institut Français to strengthen and develop the regional esports ecosystem in Africa.
The Mzansi Esports Championships spotlighted female gamers like Zahraa Khan, known as “Iron Fist,” who won the competition, Kenya’s Sylvia Wahome, alias “Queen Arrow,” who took second place, and Madagascar’s Safidy Andrianisoa, alias “Sentaku,” who finished third.
The growing investment in the sector through competition and events is creating a ripple effect in the industry encouraging women gamers to take up the sport.
Speaking after her victory at the Mzansi Esports Championships, Khan noted that the victory “will open many more doors for me to compete internationally and solidify my status as a competitor.”
“I’ve been competing for seven years and I have been working as hard as I can at tournaments so that I can proudly say I’m up there with the best of the best Tekken players in South Africa, especially in a male-dominated society. I hope that I have inspired other women to play and keep playing. This was my first ever all-female tournament and I would like to see more of these in the future.”
Even as more stakeholders continue to show increasing investor interest in the ecosystem, e-game expenditures have also surged with more Africans increasingly aware of the potential benefits of investing in the sector.
The 2024 Africa Games Industry Report by Maliyo Games notes that on average, Africans spend around US$6/year on games with the majority of spending taking place through in-app purchases.
South Africa has an average revenue per gamer of ~US$12/year, similar to Brazil’s ~US$11-12/year. While Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, and Ethiopian gamers range between ~US$2-5/year.
“We are a young industry that needs a lot of nurturing through collaborations and investments, the gaming gear is very expensive for an average woman gamer. The potential for growth is evident with more women increasingly showing interest,” Mumbi expressed.
bird story agency
The esports scene in Africa is witnessing a significant shift with rising female participation, breaking traditional barriers in the industry. Magdaline Mumbi, a notable female gamer from Kenya, exemplifies this transformation. Initially participating in Safaricom's Be Your Own Boss campaign, Mumbi has since transitioned into administrative roles, representing Kenya in global tournaments. The African gaming industry, propelled by technological advancements and a youth-centric population, is experiencing rapid growth, projected to continue at an annual rate of 19.96% from 2025-2033.
Despite historical underrepresentation, women like Mumbi and Zahraa Khan are making their mark. Participation rose notably in 2022 with the Commonwealth Esports Championships, where Mumbi was one of the few women contenders. Challenges persist, including gender-based discrimination and costly gaming equipment, but the women's presence continues to inspire and pave the way for others. Events such as the Mzansi Esports Championships demonstrate increasing female involvement, with Khan winning, highlighting the need for more all-female tournaments.
The financial aspect of the industry is also promising, with substantial spending increases and interest from investors. The Africa Games Industry Report indicates that African gamers, although currently spending an average of $6 annually, have potential for greater investment growth. South Africa leads the continent in gamer population and revenue, while the nascent esports industry requires further encouragement and resources to sustain its burgeoning potential, particularly for women gamers.
