The second day of the Africa Gaming Expo (AGE) 2026 brought together regulators, operators and innovators from across Africa and beyond to tackle the continent’s most pressing gaming challenges.
The day opened with a panel sponsored by Sumsub on ethical frameworks and predictive tools for problem gambling prevention. Moderated by Fisayo, CEO of Gamble Alerts, the session drew experts from Jamaica, Namibia, South Africa and other African regions.
Panelists shared that tackling problem gambling requires more than technology alone. Behavioral analytics, frontline customer support staff trained to spot warning signs and culturally sensitive approaches were all identified as essential components of any effective responsible gaming strategy. Cleveland Allen outlined a three-pillar framework built around player protection, robust internal controls and community-level interventions, stressing that regulators, operators, and technology providers must work in concert to make meaningful progress.
Chief Segun Odegbami delivered a compelling presentation on the potential of African sports as a foundation for global gaming products. He argued that efficient regulation and standardization are the key ingredients needed to transform Africa’s gaming sector into a global powerhouse, pointing to Nigeria as a leading example of how sports betting and gaming can serve as engines of broader economic growth.
A panel sponsored by Policy Vault and moderated by Divine Afuba examined the distinct opportunities and risks within Francophone African gaming markets. Panelists, including Cisse Mamadou Dit Ladji, Charles Tape, Moustapha Camara, Fabrice Niagara, Ngabe Franklin Njumbe, and Ebuto Bolia Papi-Pierre, explored the region’s evolving licensing regimes, the digitalization of gaming systems, and why establishing a strong local presence is increasingly non-negotiable for operators seeking sustainable market entry.
The conversation revealed the double-edged nature of tax structures and licensing models: designed to regulate, they can just as easily drive operators underground if they become prohibitive.
A second Policy Vault-sponsored panel, moderated by Damilola Atiri, tackled the persistent threat of unlicensed gambling operators across African markets. Panelist Moruntshi Kemorwale presented striking data showing that Botswana’s illegal gambling market is twice the size of its regulated counterpart, with correspondingly higher rates of problem gambling. Peter Emolemo identified the three pillars enabling unlicensed operators to thrive: technology, regulatory fragmentation and commercial incentives.
The panel reached a consensus that combating the problem demands cross-sector collaboration and concluded with a united call for the creation of a continent-wide blacklist of unlicensed operators.
The final panel of the day focused on creativity, culture, and gaming, with a discussion moderated by Ekaterina Mayorova and featuring Vusi Mtsweni, Chidi Nnadozie, Ayofemi Akinlaja, Kenneth Nwankwo, and Yeye Nwidaa. Kenneth Nwankwo of Premier Lotto highlighted the success of culturally resonant titles like Aviator, noting that low data consumption and instant gratification are critical design considerations for African audiences. Panelists broadly agreed that local content adaptation is essential for competing globally, calling for tax incentives to encourage homegrown game development and urging the industry to protect African intellectual property and cultural integrity from the earliest stages of production.
