Asia-Africa cooperation could unlock new gaming and tech opportunities
Asia and Africa’s expanding commercial ties could open new ground for gaming, payments, fintech and digital entertainment, as operators and suppliers look for markets where mobile infrastructure, local payment systems and regulated frameworks can support long-term growth.
For operators and suppliers, Asia-Africa cooperation is not just a question of access to new markets. It also depends on the systems that make those markets workable: payment routes, local technology partners, licensing clarity and long-term investment. The Asian African Chamber of Commerce & Industry (AACCI) is positioning itself as one of the organisations able to connect those groups across the two regions.
In an interview with SiGMA News, M. J. Puri, Director General of AACCI, said the chamber sees its role as helping build commercial links between the two regions, describing the chamber as a “strategic bridge between Asia and Africa, fostering trade, investment, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and institutional collaboration.”
Puri said the chamber’s mission was “to create sustainable economic partnerships and strengthen South-South cooperation,” with opportunities spanning agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, healthcare, tourism, education, fintech, AI, logistics and digital transformation.
For the gambling industry, the most relevant part of that agenda sits in the overlap between technology, payments and regulation. Asked about gaming, entertainment and technology, Puri said: “These sectors are becoming major economic contributors through innovation, digital transformation, job creation, and technology adoption.”
Where Asia can fit into Africa’s betting growth
The UN’s World Investment Report 2025 places the opportunity in a wider investment shift: the digital economy is now the fastest-growing part of the global economy, South-South investment is gaining ground, and fintech, data centres and digital services are drawing growing attention from investors. For companies in the gambling and betting industry, online growth relies on the same digital infrastructure that is attracting broader investment, including payments, hosting, data services, identity verification tools, and mobile distribution.
Asian technology providers can bring experience in mobile platforms, digital wallets, KYC, fraud prevention, live content, esports, casual gaming and scalable payment systems. African markets offer growing betting audiences, mobile money habits, sports-led engagement and demand for products built around local affordability.
The African side of that equation is a fast-growing but uneven market, driven by rising internet access, mobile penetration and a younger population, according to intelligence firm H2 Gambling Capital. However, it noted that only around 15 of Africa’s 54 countries have online-specific gambling regulation, despite roughly 40 allowing some form of legal gambling. H2 estimates that, with sensible regulation, Africa’s sports betting and iGaming market could reach $22 billion in GGR by 2029, with around 90 percent of that, or about $20 billion, generated onshore by regulated operators.
Why market structure matters for investment
Puri’s emphasis on “transparency, compliance, and responsible governance” goes to the heart of the investment case. Asian suppliers and investors may see opportunities in Africa’s expanding betting and gambling markets, but long-term partnerships depend on regulated markets where rules are clear, payments can operate reliably and licensed operators can build with confidence.
The SiGMA Africa Market Report 2026, based on Blask data, shows how concentrated African iGaming revenue remains: regulated African jurisdictions account for around 80–85 percent of estimated total revenue and 85–90 percent of measurable consumer engagement. South Africa led the continent with estimated peak monthly revenue of $215.6 million, more than three times the nearest market, while Nigeria ranked second with peak monthly revenue above $67 million.
The case for Asia-Africa cooperation runs both ways: Asia can help support the infrastructure around African iGaming, while Africa offers the scale, demand and local innovation that could help shape products capable of travelling beyond the continent.
This is the market of opportunity. From 15–17 February 2027, SiGMA Africa brings together operators, affiliates, suppliers and regulators in Cape Town. Be where the continent’s next chapter is being written.
