Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.MAIDSTONE, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Ryan 'Task Azi' De Oliveira Bastos of South Africa and Shiaan 'Shiaan1201' Rugbeer of South Africa warm up prior to their match during Day 1 of FIFA eNations Cup 2019 on April 13, 2019 in Maidstone, England.
The global video game revenue in 2023 grew by 0.5% year-on-year to $183.9 billion, according to Newzoo. In 2022, Africa’s video gaming industry revenue was estimated at $863 million with Newzoo projecting revenue to surpass $1 billion in 2024, accounting for 0.5% of global video gaming revenue. South Africa and Nigeria accounted for more than 50% of the continent’s sector revenue aided by strong market penetration.
Sony’s PlayStation 5 sold the most consoles and grew 65% from 2022, followed by Nintendo Switch with 16.4 million consoles and Xbox Series X/S with 7.6 million . South Africa’s gaming industry revenue increased 52% to R7.3 billion in 2023. The country’s gaming industry is expected to continue to grow, driven by increasing smartphone penetration and a growing youth population with a keen gaming interest — 47% of gamers are aged 14 to 28 years.
By investing in esports infrastructure, including arenas, training facilities, and tournaments, South Africa can attract and host international events and talent, positioning itself as a key player in the global esports arena. Partnerships with global esports organisations can boost visibility and opportunities such as hosting major tournaments and securing sponsorship deals, resulting in the establishment of South Africa as a premier destination for esports events and investments.