Safaricom held its first Gaming Conference at the Michael Joseph Centre, Nairobi. Themed “Level Up Africa: Unlocking Gaming Potential in Africa.” The event highlighted gaming’s role in shaping Africa’s future through eSports, game development, technology, policy, and investment. It also celebrated pop culture with movies, music, cosplay, performances, and merchandise exhibitions.
“Gaming is more than just play, it’s talent, creativity, and opportunity. We believe in powering the youth and building platforms where skills can turn into careers, innovations, and thriving communities.” Said Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom.
Discussions also touched on key challenges, including the need for better policies, investment in developers, and ways to retain African talent.
Safaricom has long supported gaming and eSports. In 2019, it partnered with Pro Series Gaming [PSG] to host youth tournaments. In 2021, it launched the MobiPlay Challenge on Games Lounge, rewarding players with daily, weekly, and grand prizes. The Wai Ndai challenge offered daily cash vouchers and Suzuki Altos as prizes in 2023.
Most recently, Safaricom sponsored the 2025 Otamatsuri Gaming Convention at KICC, powering the event with its 5G network for seamless, high-speed gaming experiences.
