SBC and GRAF Establish Strategic Alliance to Boost Regulatory Dialogue in Africa
The collaboration between SBC and the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF) will enhance knowledge sharing and regulatory cooperation in African markets, with key activities in Maputo and Lisbon during 2026.
Key Takeaways
- SBC and GRAF establish a strategic alliance focused on strengthening dialogue and cooperation among African regulators.
- The African Gaming Forum will take place on September 30, 2026, in Lisbon, featuring high regulatory representatives from various African countries.
- The GRAF 2026 Conference will occur from September 14 to 17 in Maputo, Mozambique, with support from SBC.
- The agreement between SBC and GRAF seeks to facilitate knowledge exchange and regulatory experiences between Africa and the international industry.
SBC and the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening regulatory dialogue, experience sharing, and international collaboration in the gaming sector in Africa. The alliance anticipates joint actions in 2026 in Maputo, Mozambique, and Lisbon, Portugal, both focused on placing African regulators at the center of sectoral discussions.
GRAF and SBC: Alliance for African Regulatory Development
Both organizations will coordinate activities involving regulators, operators, and other industry stakeholders. According to the announcement, SBC will support the 2026 edition of the GRAF Conference, which will take place from September 14 to 17 at the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Center in Maputo. In addition, GRAF will join as an Event Partner for the African Gaming Forum, which will occur during the SBC Summit 2026 in Lisbon.
"Africa is not a single gaming market. Each jurisdiction evolves at its own pace, with different regulatory frameworks, priorities, and challenges. To truly discuss the future, regulators must be at the center of the conversation." — Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC
This collaboration is framed within a shared vision by SBC and GRAF: to enhance the connection between African regulatory authorities and the international gaming sector.
African Gaming Forum: Regulatory Panels and Exclusive Participation
The African Gaming Forum will be held on September 30, 2026, at the Myriad Hotel in Lisbon, as part of the SBC Summit, inviting regulators, operators, and key industry figures under exclusive access. On that day, GRAF will lead the panel 'GRAF: African Gaming under the microscope,' which will analyze the current regulatory priorities on the continent. The panel will include representatives from Botswana, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Lagos State (Nigeria), ensuring a diverse representation of markets and regulatory approaches.
Confirmed representatives include:
- Moruntshi Kemorwale, CEO of Gambling Authority Botswana
- Lungile Dukwana, CEO of National Gambling Board of South Africa
- Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo, Interim Commissioner of the Gaming Commission of Ghana
- Peter Maina Karimi, Director General of the Gaming Regulatory Authority of Kenya
- Muchanankhwaye Mpuluka, CEO of Malawi Gaming & Lotteries Authority (MAGLA)
- Bashir Are, CEO of Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority
More African regulators are expected to join as the event approaches.
Forum Content: Regulatory Frameworks, Taxation, and Responsible Gaming
The agenda of the African Gaming Forum will address crucial regulatory topics in Africa, focusing the discussion on:
- Market entry and expansion strategies
- Changes and challenges in national regulatory frameworks
- Taxation policies applicable to gaming
- Initiatives and regulations on responsible gaming
- Opportunities in both established jurisdictions and new markets
Thus, the forum aims to create a unique space to address priority regulatory issues and facilitate knowledge transfer among different African countries and the international community, uniting perspectives with global operators and B2B suppliers.
"It is essential for African regulators to access strong platforms to exchange experiences and be part of the global conversation on the future of our industry." — Reuben Mabutho Zwane, President of GRAF
SBC Summit 2026 and African Presence
The African Gaming Forum will take place within the SBC Summit 2026, which will host over 40,000 industry professionals at the Lisboa International Fair (FIL) and MEO Arena, from September 29 to October 1. Access to the African forum will be by invitation only, reinforcing the strategic profile of participants and the focus on advanced regulatory topics.
The cooperation between GRAF and SBC represents a significant step to highlight Africa not only as an area of growth for the industry but as a space for dialogue around best regulatory practices and emerging challenges. The agreement aims to facilitate the flow of information and align the African agenda with international trends in the gaming sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the alliance between SBC and GRAF aim for?
The alliance between SBC and the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF) aims to strengthen knowledge exchange, regulatory dialogue, and international collaboration in the gaming markets in Africa, promoting a central space for the voice of African regulators.
When and where will the African Gaming Forum 2026 take place?
The African Gaming Forum will be held on September 30, 2026, at the Myriad Hotel in Lisbon, as part of the SBC Summit 2026, with access by invitation only and participation from regulators, operators, and other industry leaders.
Which African markets will be represented at the African Gaming Forum?
The African Gaming Forum will feature regulatory authorities from Botswana, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Lagos State (Nigeria), with expectations of incorporating more regulators from across the continent.
What key topics will the program of the African Gaming Forum cover?
The forum will address the entry and expansion into African markets, challenges in regulatory frameworks, taxation, responsible gaming initiatives, and opportunities in both emerging and established jurisdictions.
What role will GRAF play in the SBC Summit 2026?
GRAF will organize and lead a regulatory panel within the African Gaming Forum in Lisbon, bringing the perspectives of African regulators directly to the international agenda of the SBC Summit 2026.
Tags
About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
More from Miguel Sandoval
