Kenya has made a name for itself as the leading mobile market in Africa, with a prolific smartphone usage and a dynamic mobile money and fintech ecosystem.
Such a robust mobile economy lays a solid foundation for related sectors’ growth, with mobile esports being among the subsectors showing vast potential.
Previously, mobile gaming was seen as a leisurely pursuit, but advances in technology have turned competitive video gaming into a prominent entity in the mobile ecosystem.
Given our burgeoning smartphone use and technologically-versed population, we possess all the necessary elements to become an influencing presence in the world of mobile esports.
As reported by the Communications Authority, Kenya currently counts more than 30 million operational smartphones, a figure estimated to reach 52 million by 2025. This increase in smartphone ownership boosts the player base. It also establishes us as a key force in Sub-Saharan Africa, trailing only South Africa and Nigeria.
Secondly, the accessibility in terms of cost is a fundamental driver behind the expansion of mobile esports in Kenya.
Unlike expensive PC and console games, many titles in mobile esports are free to play. This encourages widespread access and draws a wider audience. As internet access grows thanks to President William Ruto’s drive for a digital superhighway, coupled with diminishing data costs, mobile esports enthusiasts can engage in virtual communities, promoting both competition and collaboration.
Kenya’s gaming culture also amplifies the development of mobile esports. Video gaming is considered both entertainment and a social activity, with mobile games effortlessly interwoven into everyday routines. Because of their casual nature and short learning curve, they are an impeccable match for Kenya’s youth, facilitating an effervescent esports community.
Grasping the vast potential for growth, the Esports Kenya Federation has pinpointed mobile esports as a strategic focal point.
With a strategic plan set, our aim is to qualify for the global esports games in the PUBG category, scheduled for China in December 2024.
To catalyze this surge, forging partnerships will be key. Service providers can propose specialized internet packages for mobile gamers, smartphone distributors can look into discounts for gaming-oriented devices, and governmental ICT hubs can be utilized as training grounds for our players.
Corporate sector collaboration is also imperative to provide support and sponsorship for more mobile esports tournaments, thus solidifying Kenya’s position in the global esports scene.
There’s no denying that the trajectory of mobile esports in Kenya is on an upward trend. Joining forces, we can ensure that mobile esports becomes an integral part of Kenya’s dynamic digital landscape, and boosts the global image of our nation.