Gaming industry can drive jobs, revenue in Africa, says Sanwo-Olu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says the gaming industry has the potential to become a major driver of employment, investment and public revenue across Africa if properly regulated and responsibly managed.Sanwo-Olu said this on Wednesday at the 3rd edition of the 2026 African Gaming Expo held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, with the theme: “Africa’s Gaming Market: Frontier to Prominence.”Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the governor said Africa’s gaming sector was moving from a fragmented and informal space into a structured and globally competitive ecosystem driven by policy, innovation and investment.He said the sector, which once operated at the margins of the formal economy, was now witnessing deliberate transformation across the continent.“Not long ago, the gaming sector across much of Africa existed largely at the edges of the formal economy, fragmented, loosely structured and often misunderstood.“Today, what was once fragmented and unsettled is becoming structured, regulated and globally competitive, and Lagos will continue to show support,” he said.Sanwo-Olu said the industry had evolved from being loosely organised and largely misunderstood to becoming increasingly regulated, transparent and attractive to both local and international investors.According to him, governments across the continent are strengthening institutions and regulatory frameworks, while technology is enabling transparency, compliance and investor confidence.He noted that the gaming industry now intersects with technology, digital finance, sports development and youth engagement, making it a strategic sector in Africa’s digital and economic future.“When properly regulated and responsibly managed, gaming has immense potential to generate employment, stimulate investments and contribute meaningfully to public revenue.“This is no longer just about entertainment. It is about economic inclusion, innovation and building a sustainable ecosystem that can compete globally,” he said.The governor reiterated Lagos State Government’s commitment to supporting policies and initiatives that would deepen innovation, attract responsible investment and strengthen the regulatory environment for the sector.He said Lagos, as Africa’s commercial hub, remained strategically positioned to lead conversations and investments that would shape the future of gaming and digital enterprise on the continent.Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), Mr Bashir Are, said the expo was organised to position Africa more prominently within the global gaming ecosystem and unlock opportunities across allied industries.Are said the event had become more than an industry gathering, noting that it was now a platform for strategic partnerships, innovation and economic expansion.According to him, the annual expo has also contributed to tourism growth and commercial activity in Lagos through increased hotel occupancy and the influx of international delegates and investors.“This event goes beyond gaming.“It connects fintech, tourism and digital innovation, while also showcasing local talents to the global market.“We are creating a platform that places Africa at the centre of global conversations around gaming, regulation, innovation and investment,” he said.Are said the state government, through the authority, remained committed to ensuring a transparent, responsible and growth-oriented gaming ecosystem that would create value for operators, consumers and government alike.In his keynote address, the Founder of Merbert Global Launchpad, Mr Peter Mebert, urged African startups to leverage improving access to infrastructure, digital tools and talent to scale their businesses globally.Mebert described gaming as one of the fastest-growing industries in the world and said it should be viewed not only as a commercial sector, but also as a launchpad for broader digital innovation and entrepreneurship.He said Africa must pay greater attention to leadership capacity, market intelligence and strategic expansion if it hopes to compete effectively on the global stage.“Africa has the talent, creativity and population advantage to become a major force in the global gaming market.“But success will depend on how well startups understand markets, build strong leadership structures and execute sustainable expansion strategies,” he said.He warned that many startups fail not because of a lack of ideas, but due to poor expansion models, weak leadership and inadequate understanding of foreign markets.The the expo featured discussions on regulatory collaboration, technological innovation, responsible gaming, youth empowerment and sustainable investment across Africa.Stakeholders at the event also emphasised the need for stronger cross-border partnerships, ethical gaming practices and improved regulatory alignment to support the industry’s long-term growth on the continent.