African Gaming Forum to Address Regulation and Market Growth Across Key African Jurisdictions

Africa's gaming industry will take centre stage at the African Gaming Forum on 30 September 2026, where senior stakeholders and regulators will meet to examine sustainable growth as regulatory and market conditions change. The invite-only event at the Myriad Hotel in Lisbon is designed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory environments, market challenges, and opportunities across the continent’s major jurisdictions, giving operators a clear view of region-specific realities and prospects.

Regulation and Growth: Assessing Africa’s Diverse Markets

The African Gaming Forum’s agenda features dedicated panels on Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Ethiopia, alongside broader discussions on regulation, taxation and market expansion. Each market is evolving under distinct regulatory, commercial and cultural frameworks, creating a highly nuanced environment for operators and investors. According to Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC, this structure recognises that “Africa is not one market. Each jurisdiction is developing under different regulatory, commercial and cultural conditions.”

Opening Panel: GRAF Regulator Panel on African Gaming Regulation

The conference opens with the “GRAF Regulator Panel: African Gaming Under the Microscope,” hosted in partnership with the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF). Moderated by Mabutho Zwane (CEO, Eastern Cape Gambling Board and GRAF President), the session features:

• Lungile Dukwana, CEO, National Gambling Board, South Africa
• Moruntshi Kemorwale, CEO, Gambling Authority Botswana
• Vusi Mtsweni, CEO, Mpumalanga Economic Regulator

Panellists will examine how regulators and operators can create frameworks that promote innovation, compliance, and player protection while addressing unregulated activity. This discussion sets the stage for the day, establishing how regulatory evolution underpins both market stability and opportunity in regulated gaming markets.

Leading Operators: CEO Panel Highlights Opportunity and Market Entry

The CEO Panel, “Leading the Way – Scaling the Opportunity in Africa,” gathers:

• Christopher Coyne, CEO, 888Africa
• Jeremiah Maangi, Founder & CEO, iGaming AFRIKA
• Alexandre Paque, CEO, Elephant Bet
• Ronnie Whelan, CEO, Kingmakers
• Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, CEO, African iGaming Alliance

This session explores how operators can tap into Africa's mobile-first, youthful audience, adapt to local market-entry strategies, and navigate cultural and regulatory differences. The panel will address the shift towards iCasino and the potential for increased regulatory alignment to impact future expansion.

Jurisdictional Deep Dives: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Ethiopia

Ghana: Continued Market Momentum

In “A New Entry to the Big 4: Gaming in Ghana Continues Apace,” panellists including Akomea Kwaku Ohemeng Agyei (CEO, Mybet Africa), Kobby Boateng (President, Ghana Association of Sports Betting Operators), Moritz Honig (CEO, Betfox), and Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo (Acting Commissioner, Gaming Commission of Ghana) will discuss Ghana’s rapid regulatory development, market growth, and implications for new and expanding operators.

Kenya: Responding to Legislative Change

“A Whole New World: Kenya and the Gambling Control Act” focuses on the transformative impact of the new Act on market compliance, responsible gambling, and future sector growth. Panelists Marcel Elfersy (CEO, B2 Tech), Jason Gibson (CPO, SportPesa), Sab Jhooti (CEO, Bongo Bongo), Peter Maina Karimi (Director General, Kenya’s Gaming Regulatory Authority), Vusi Mtsweni (CEO, Mpumalanga Economic Regulator), and John Mutua (CEO, Association of Gaming Operators Kenya) bring diverse perspectives on operational and regulatory adaptation.

Nigeria: Navigating Regulatory Uncertainty

A session on “Regulatory Uncertainty vs Economic Opportunity: The Nigerian Question” will analyse how enhanced cooperation between state authorities, regulators, and operators could unlock further growth, focusing on the balance between regulatory clarity and commercial potential.

South Africa: Taxation and Responsible Growth

South Africa will be discussed in “Will New Taxes Lead to Responsible Growth?” where panelists review recent tax proposals, their effect on player protection, and competition from unregulated operators. The aim is to assess whether fiscal measures can drive market maturation without pushing volume offshore.

Ethiopia: The Future After iGaming Restrictions

The Ethiopian market will be examined in “After the Ban: What’s Next for Ethiopian iGaming?” considering how recent restrictions have affected the sector and evaluating whether emergent regulation could reopen the market to licensed operators.

Networking and Industry Engagement at the Forum

Beyond the conference panels, the African Gaming Forum features dedicated networking sessions enabling direct exchange among operators, regulators, and industry associations. The event is organised in partnership with iGaming AFRIKA, Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF), and the Ghana Association of Sports Betting Operators (GHASBO), ensuring regional experience, regulatory insight, and operator representation are integral to each discussion.

Attendance at the Forum is by invitation only; participants must hold a valid SBC Summit or Affiliate Leaders Summit pass to be eligible. This approach ensures that all attendees are senior professionals actively engaged in Africa’s rapidly developing gaming ecosystem.

Partners and Stakeholder Representation

The Forum’s regional partnerships provide a direct line to market realities. iGaming AFRIKA, GRAF, and GHASBO contribute media access, regulatory expertise, and industry representation. This collaborative model is designed to ensure panel content reflects both country-level differences and shared continental priorities, supporting operators, suppliers, and policy-makers seeking to make informed decisions in Africa’s evolving markets.

“The African Gaming Forum is designed to reflect that reality, giving delegates the chance to hear directly from the people working in those markets and understand what growth looks like on the ground.” — Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC

Summary: What Operators Need to Know

The African Gaming Forum provides a consolidated opportunity for regulatory clarity, market insight, and senior-level networking. The event’s agenda underscores the importance of local frameworks, agile regulatory responses, and targeted partnership as keys to entering or scaling operations within Africa’s unique market landscape.