SANWO-OLU PLEDGES LAGOS SUPPORT FOR AFRICA GAMING INDUSTRY IN ATTAINING GLOBAL GROWTH
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday, pledged the state government’s support for the growth of the Africa’s gaming industry which is transitioning from a fragmented, informal sector into a structured and globally competitive ecosystem driven by policy, innovation and investment.
Sanwo-Olu stated,
at the 3rd edition of the 2026 African Gaming Expo held at Eko Hotels and
Suites with the theme, "Africa’s Gaming Market: Frontier to Prominence”
Represented
by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Sanwo-Olu,
said the sector, once operating at the margins of the formal economy, is now
witnessing deliberate transformation across the continent.
According to
him, the industry has evolved from being loosely structured and misunderstood
to becoming regulated, transparent and attractive to global investors.
“Not long
ago, the gaming sector across much of Africa existed largely at the edges of
the formal economy—fragmented, loosely structured and often misunderstood.
“Today, what
was once fragmented and unsettled is becoming structured, regulated, and
globally competitive, and Lagos will continue to show support,” he said.
He noted
that governments are strengthening institutions and regulatory frameworks,
while technology is enabling transparency and boosting investor confidence.
He added
that gaming now intersects with technology, digital finance, sports
development, and youth engagement, making it a key driver of economic growth.
“When
properly regulated and responsibly managed, gaming has immense potential to
generate employment, stimulate investments, and contribute meaningfully to
public revenue,” he added.
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L-R: Lagos Commissioner for Innovation, Science & Technology, Tunbosun Alake; Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Sam Egube; Head of Service in Lagos, Olabode Agoro; Lagos State Governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin and CEO, Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Bashir Are during the third edition of the 2026 African Gaming Expo (AGE), held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos on Wednesday.
Chief
Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Bashir Are,
said the expo was designed to position Africa within the global gaming
ecosystem and unlock opportunities across allied industries.
He noted
that the event has boosted tourism and commercial activities in Lagos, with
increased hotel occupancy and participation from international delegates.
“This event
goes beyond gaming. It connects fintech, digital innovation, while also
showcasing local talents to the global market,” he said.
Delivering
his keynote address, the founder of Merbert Global Launchpad, Peter Mebert,
urged African startups to leverage improved access to infrastructure and talent
to scale globally.
He described
gaming as a fast-growing global industry and a platform for broader digital
innovation, stressing that Africa must focus on leadership, market
understanding, and strategic expansion to compete internationally.
He further
warned that many startups fail due to poor expansion strategies, weak
leadership, and inadequate knowledge of foreign markets.
The expo
featured discussions on regulatory collaboration, technological innovation,
responsible gaming, youth empowerment, and sustainable investment across
Africa.
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