Monetisation In Africa
Tag: MENA
Developer Support
Tenjin joins Turkish government incentives programme for game developers
New Office
Maysalward opens new headquarters in Amman
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Online Safety
Türkiye proposes new regulations for digital platforms and game distributors
Digital game distributors may be required to appoint a local representative to operate in the country
Funding News
Cheer Games raises $4.5m pre-seed to build puzzle franchises
The studio plans to use the funding to develop new puzzle titles and expand its Barcelona team
Funding News
Istanbul-based Vento Games secures $4m to scale family-friendly mobile puzzle portfolio
Funding will support talent expansion and accelerate the rollout of new brain-building puzzle titles
New Offerings
Türkiye backs games studios with array of new incentives and financial support
Mobile studios can access up to 50% support on user acquisition and marketing spend
Marvellous Mena
Dubai Esports & Games Festival returns on May 8th as the city doubles down on its gaming ambitions
The festival blends esports tournaments, industry networking and community activities under Dubai’s digital economy strategy
Esports Nations Cup
PUBG Mobile joins the Esports Nations Cup 2026 as its 16th competitive title
The national team showdown will take place in Riyadh from November 2nd to 29th, 2026.
Marvellous Mena
"The market, both in MENA and at a global scale, is becoming increasingly competitive"
Steer Studios CEO Yannick Theler on recognition, building global IP from the KSA and balancing live service ambitions in MENA
New Partnerships
Saudi Esports Federation partners with ROC Esports and Team Stallion to strengthen the Kingdom’s esports ambitions
The agreements centre on upskilling Saudi employees and athletes through programs delivered by the Saudi Esports Academy
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with AUBH to strengthen student training in games and interactive entertainment
AUBH students will gain access to internships, studio visits and direct engagement with Savvy’s teams in Riyadh
Job News
Exel by Merak appoints Faisal Sedrani as CEO to lead its next growth phase
The accelerator is expanding beyond games into a broader multi-sector innovation mandate aligned with Vision 2030
Investment Shift
Saudi Arabia's PIF transfers $3bn Take-Two Stake to Savvy Games Group
The move consolidates Saudi Arabia’s global gaming investments under Savvy
Ramadan Kareem
Ramadan festivities unfold across mobile with themed events and seasonal rewards
We’ve rounded up a selection of the most engaging and inventive in-game events and promotions currently live
Possible Acqusition
Report: ByteDance in advanced talks to sell Moonton to Savvy Games Group for up to $7bn
Sources say the transaction could close as soon as this quarter, with broad terms already agreed
Marvellous Mena
19 MENA startups graduate from the second Exel by Merak accelerator cohort
Each startup will receive $300,000 in funding plus mentorship and global network access
Esports Nations Cup
Esports Nations Cup 2026 reveals first eight titles
Mobile leads the charge with Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang fronting the initial lineup
Child Safety
Egypt blocks Roblox over concerns about child safety and harmful online content
The Supreme Council for Media Regulation is coordinating with telecom authorities to enforce the ban
Funding News
Hogo Games lands fresh investment at a $10m valuation to scale its production pipeline
The Türkiye-based studio plans to expand its 13-person team and accelerate upcoming titles
Industry Outlook
Masseka Games founder Teddy Kossoko on why mobile gaming monetisation might be failing in Africa
“We came to realise that some companies in Africa inflate mobile gaming statistics by including betting and gambling activities”
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with NMBRS to boost Saudi Arabia’s games and esports creative capabilities
As part of the partnership, NMBRS will establish a local operations presence in Riyadh
Africa Is Mobile
Mobile leads as Africa’s games industry generated $2.29bn in 2025
Google Play continues to dominate mobile distribution across Africa, while Apple App Store retains a smaller but higher-value audience in select markets
Global Games Show
Global Games Show Riyadh 2026 returns to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 games ambitions
The Riyadh edition will bring together developers, publishers, investors, and esports leaders for two days of talks, demos, and networking
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoUs with Saudi Ministry of Education for games and esports programs
The agreements aim to integrate games education into national curricula and formal learning frameworks nationwide
New Partnerships
Arab Youth Centre and Games Ventures partner to train next generation of MENA game developers
The programme is designed to mirror real-world game studio environments rather than classroom-based learning
Dubai Gameexpo
Why Dubai is your gateway to MENA’s growing games market
Dubai GameExpo Summit on May 20th to 21st is an essential access point to the world’s fastest growing games market
Arabic Localisation
Resident Evil Survival Unit launches across MENA with full Arabic language support
The mobile strategy title is now available in 17 additional MENA countries on mobile
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with Alfaisal University to launch new game design program
The program will be jointly delivered by Alfaisal University and Savvy Academy, blending academic teaching with industry expertise
Esports World Cup
Esports World Cup Foundation launches global Road to EWC qualification program
The program links more than 230 tournaments into a single global qualification pathway
Funding News
UAE developer iBloxx Studios raises $5.4m to complete development of StrayShot
The funding will also support global marketing, live operations and preparation for console releases
Events
Dubai GameExpo Summit returns in May after record 1,400 game professionals from 70 countries in 2025
The two-day event returns on May 20th and 21st 2026 to engage with the vibrant MENA games market once more
New Partnerships
Saudi Esports Federation signs deals with Yalla Group to support esports growth
The partnerships align with Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy
Accelerator Program
Dubai launches GameForward accelerator to support Emirati game developers
The programme supports both early-stage creators and teams looking to scale, with at least one Emirati founder required
Esports Nations Cup
Esports World Cup Foundation commits $45m to Esports Nations Cup 2026
ENC 2026 will feature $20m in prize money paid directly to players and coaches across 16 titles
Marvellous Mena
Level Up Gaming CEO Mohammed Habbab on why capital alone won’t build successful studios
“The investors who will win here are the ones who treat gaming as a long-term asset class, not a short-term content play”
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group and NEOM sign MoU to fast-track Saudi gaming startups
The deal connects Savvy’s Nine66 Incubator directly to NEOM’s Level Up Accelerator, creating a clearer growth pathway for startups
New Studio
New developer Sanddrifter Studio opens in Abu Dhabi
The studio is currently developing its debut mobile title with plans to expand to PC and console in the future
Events
The Dubai GameExpo Summit returns on May 20th and 21st
Save the date for the 2026 edition of the two-day conference powered by Pocket Gamer Connects
Funding For Games
Anka Ventures launches early-stage VC fund targeting mobile games and apps
The fund was established by VLMedia to help founders scale internationally through network access and follow-on funding
Esports World Cup
Esports World Cup 2026 to feature a $75m total prize pool
The winning Club will earn $7m as part of the expanded Club Championship payouts
New Offerings
Orbital expands to PC after surpassing 200,000 downloads on mobile
The mobile title recorded more than 180,000 hours of player engagement since its 2022 launch
Milestone
Game District surpasses 2.2 billion downloads in 2025
The mobile developer reached a peak of 22m daily active users last year
Funding News
TaleMonster Games raises $30m Series A to scale Match Valley
The Istanbul-based studio plans to scale its debut title and launch a second game later this year
Funding News
Khosouf Studio secures $600,000 to fuel next phase of growth
The funding will support the studio’s relocation from the UAE to Saudi Arabia
Layoff News
Ubisoft cuts 29 jobs at Abu Dhabi studio
The layoffs follow Ubisoft’s confirmed closure of Ubisoft Halifax as part of wider global restructuring
Investment Shift
Saudi Arabia's PIF to transfer $12bn in gaming shares to Savvy Games Group
The move includes stakes in Nintendo and Bandai Namco Holdings, strengthening Savvy’s global games portfolio
New Studio
Halal Games launches with values-driven game development focus
The developer aims to create fun games without gambling mechanics, musical instruments, or explicit content
Esports Growth
Esports World Cup Foundation unveils national team framework for Esports Nations Cup 2026
At least $20m per year will be committed to supporting national team programmes
Anniversary
Savvy Games Group CEO Brian Ward talks four years of growth, major acquisitions and what comes next
“If the people who played Scopely’s games over the last 12 months were a country, they would be the third largest country in the world"