The second day of the 12th Annual BiG Africa Summit 2026 at The Grand Palm Hotel Casino and Convention Resort in Gaborone, Botswana, provided the perfect platform for some of Africa’s ‘BiGGEST’ gaming leaders to unpack regulatory progress, responsible play, economic contribution, and commercial strategy.
Chairperson Lebowa Moroen, Communications Specialist at the Botswana Gambling Authority, opened the morning on a high note by inviting attendees to interact with their peers seated next to them, which proved to be a fun and well-received icebreaker, putting everyone in high spirits! Lebowa then passed the floor to Thatayaone Molefhi, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, who delivered the welcome remarks ahead of the enlightening keynote address by Hon. Baratiwa Mathoothe, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship.
Moruntshi Kemorwale, Acting CEO of the Botswana Gambling Authority, closed the opening segment and announced: “Botswana has been granted Cabinet approval to host the BiG Africa Summit for three consecutive years. However, we believe that we will nurture this partnership and will continue beyond the three years.”
After a brief coffee break and opportunity to mingle, the day’s first panel, RegTech in Action: Leveraging Technology to Strengthen Regulation, Payments, and Financial Inclusion in Africa, came alive with audience participation. Moderated by Damilola Ruth Atiri, Country Manager at Policy Vault, the discussion featured Chawapiwa Mpatane (Botswana Gambling Authority), Erick Ludoviko Makoye (Gaming Board of Tanzania), and Tumelo Mokoena (South African Responsible Gambling Foundation), who explored how digital tools can strengthen enforcement, simplify payments monitoring, and promote financial inclusion across African jurisdictions.
Collaboration remained central during The Power of Collaboration Between Operators and Regulators in Africa, guided by a familiar summit voice, Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe, CEO of the African iGaming Alliance. Panellists Justice Ditlhong, Head of Compliance at SuperSportBet; Musa Mngadi, CEO of the African Lotteries and Gaming Association; and Robert Toth, Head of Business Development Africa at ComplyGuard shared practical insights into how trust-based partnerships between regulators and operators can accelerate compliance, encourage investment, and promote sustainable growth throughout the continent.
Running concurrently with the main conference up until the networking lunch break, the African Regulatory Seminar provided a dedicated space for gaming regulators from Africa and beyond. Tumelo Batshu, Internal Audit Manager at the Botswana Gambling Authority, facilitated an interactive discussion, where attendees shared their perspectives on evolving regulations, technological innovation, and emerging industry trends.
Post-lunch, the conversation turned to sustainability with the session on Player Protection & Responsible Gaming in Africa, led by Tumelo Mokoena. Together with Malebogo Motlaleng of Peermont Global Botswana and Mmoloki Mokgosi of Avani Gaborone Hotel & Casino, the panel took a closer look at how operators can integrate responsible gaming into daily operations, build consumer trust, and align business objectives with long-term sector integrity.
Following this, the Botswana Gambling Authority’s Acting CEO, Moruntshi Kemorwale, returned to the stage for a highly anticipated keynote presentation that underscored gaming’s broader value to Botswana’s economy. Beyond entertainment, he explained, it generates revenue, employment, and tourism opportunities – all within a responsible and safe framework. With the right regulation, collaboration, and investment, gaming can play a pivotal role in driving tourism diversification, bolstering urban hospitality, and enhancing Botswana’s competitiveness on the regional stage.
Next, Maurizio Soccodato, CEO of Global Lab SA (PTY), captivated the audience with a look at his company’s innovative initiatives to lead in emerging markets. He demonstrated the new GLA Standard live, showing how it provides regulators, operators, and providers with innovative certification tailored to Africa’s evolving market needs.
Strategic adaptability was the focus of the panel Thriving in Newly Regulated Markets, moderated by Tumelo Batshu, where Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe and Gabriel Pachawo (Managing Director of BotEx Consultancy and Acting under Delegated Authority of the CEO and Board of Goldrush Slots Botswana) explored how operators can position themselves effectively within newly formalised regulatory environments by balancing innovation with compliance discipline.
The final session of the day, The Business of Sports Betting: Strategies for Startups, compared retail, online, and hybrid models for new operators. Chicco Mashale from Sunbet led the panel, with Peter Mshikilwa, Managing Partner at Blue Strategic Consultancy Services, and Snehal Bhatt, CEO of KodeDice, providing actionable advice on profitability, operational resilience, and sustainable growth for startups in the market.
Coinciding with the second half of the day’s conference, the African Operators’ Seminar was facilitated by Linky Engelbrecht, Casino Manager at Moonlite Casino. Attendees had the chance to raise topics relevant to their operations and walked away with valuable perspectives on regulatory developments, emerging markets, and strategies to support long-term, sustainable growth across the continent.
Wrapping up an eventful day, Chairperson Lebowa Moroen reflected on the expertise shared and the collective commitment shown by regulators and industry leaders. She added: “This summit is a reminder of how hungry and eager gaming industry players are to share, compare, and innovate together. We all gleaned so much, from regulators like the Gambling Authority to service providers, there was something for everyone! The big takeaway from the day is the need to make these strides united and together. If we want to regulate well, we have to do it together. If we want to get responsible gaming right, it must be a concerted effort.”
The day finally concluded with the Fast-Track Connections Evening, giving delegates the chance to unwind while continuing purposeful, one-on-one networking. With plenty of ideas already exchanged, excitement is building for Day 3 of the BiG Africa Summit 2026, which will highlight practical examples of innovation in action, from esports development to iGaming content, partnerships, and getting responsible gaming messaging just right.
