Africa’s digital economy has grown fast, rising from about US $30 billion in 2012 (just 1% of GDP) to US $115 billion by 2020, making up 4.5% of the continent’s total economy. And the momentum isn’t slowing down. It’s expected to hit US $180 billion by 2025, and could reach a massive US $712 billion by 2050.
Market Overview
Africa’s entertainment and media industry is growing faster than most regions. In 2023, Nigeria saw a 15% increase, South Africa grew by 11.7%, and Kenya followed with 5.8% growth. Looking ahead to 2028, expected annual growth rates remain strong: 8.6% for Nigeria, around 4.2% for South Africa, and 5.2% for Kenya. Much of this growth comes from rising demand for internet ads and streaming services (OTT). Digital trends like https://www.stellarspins.fun/en/online-pokies are also becoming more popular, drawing in both users and advertisers across the continent.
Digital Streaming & OTT Platforms
South Africa’s streaming industry is growing fast. Experts expect it to reach US $370 million by 2028, rising from US $246 million in 2023, with a steady annual growth rate of 8.5%. MultiChoice’s Showmax has seen a drop in total users, but its paying subscribers grew by 44%, thanks to a bigger focus on local content and international partnerships. Other platforms are also making waves – iROKOtv, with over 5,000 Nollywood titles, and newcomers like KDNPLUS are helping spread African stories and bring more regional content to digital viewers.
Gaming & E‑sports
Africa now has around 349 million gamers, and the number keeps rising, up 10% in just one year. Mobile gaming leads the way, with 304 million people playing on their phones. In 2024, the continent’s gaming market brought in more than US $1.8 billion, and mobile games made up US $1.6 billion of that. Egypt earned about US $368 million, followed by Nigeria (US $300 million) and South Africa (US $278 million). South Africa’s live streaming sector hit US $2.02 billion in 2023 and could reach US $7.82 billion by 2030. Esports are taking off, even with some tech and access challenges.
Social Media, Creators & UGC Platforms
Africa’s creator economy is booming, and it’s expected to grow fivefold by 2030. Many African influencers on platforms like YouTube and TikTok are earning by sharing their culture, but challenges remain – ad revenue is low and payment systems often lag. Local platforms are stepping in to fill the gap. Ogelle, launched in 2019, focuses on African-made content. Another major player is Ayoba, a super-app with 35 million users as of April 2024. It blends messaging, music, payments, and games in one platform designed for African users.
Economic & Cultural Impacts
The rise of digital entertainment is creating new work opportunities across Africa for game developers, video creators, tech startups, and more. It’s also closing the digital gap: in many rural areas, streaming or mobile gaming is often people’s first experience online. This shift is helping amplify African culture. Nollywood movies, Afrobeats, and content in local languages are gaining attention across the globe. Gaming studios such as Kiro’o Games and Maliyo are spearheading this trend, demonstrating the existence of a global market for African stories. Together, their impact has helped push the region’s gaming industry past US $1 billion in revenue.