Esports has grown from a niche hobby to a booming global industry, drawing millions of players, streamers, and spectators. While Asia and North America often dominate headlines, a surprising new force is emerging: Africa. The continent is rapidly building its own esports ecosystem—one shaped by mobile innovation, youth culture, and grassroots energy.
Interestingly, Thailand shares several parallels with Africa’s rise in esports. From mobile-first gaming habits to a thriving betting culture, both regions are leveraging esports as more than just a game—it’s an opportunity. And with esports betting gaining popularity in Thailand, Africa’s growth story offers insights and inspiration for the Thai market.
Africa is home to one of the youngest populations in the world, with over 60% under the age of 25. This demographic is digitally native, mobile-first, and deeply connected to gaming culture.
Mobile games like PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, FIFA Mobile, and Call of Duty Mobile are popular due to their accessibility and low hardware requirements. In countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana, these games have become esports staples.
The affordability of smartphones, along with the expansion of internet access, has created fertile ground for esports growth. Unlike more established markets that rely on PC and console gaming, Africa’s esports scene thrives on mobility—something Thailand can relate to deeply.
Nigeria is becoming the face of African esports. Platforms like Gamr Africa host tournaments across the continent and promote youth participation through mobile competitions. Their event, Gamr X, brought in hundreds of players from over 15 countries.
The focus on mobile esports is not accidental. Most Nigerian players access games through mobile networks. This mirrors Thailand’s mobile-first culture and points toward scalable growth even in markets with limited PC infrastructure.
South Africa leads the continent in terms of organized tournaments and partnerships. The African Cyber Gaming League (ACGL) hosts regular events in games like CS:GO, FIFA, and Fortnite. South Africa also became the first African country to integrate eDiski Esports—a FIFA-based tournament backed by the football league.
Here, we see how a well-structured domestic league can lead to sponsorship deals, content creation, and even betting partnerships—concepts Thailand is already familiar with.
In Kenya, telecom giant Safaricom launched a gaming initiative to nurture young talent. Their support helped popularize tournaments and gaming cafes in both urban and rural areas.
Corporate sponsorship has been a missing puzzle in many developing esports markets. Thailand’s betting operators and gaming brands can draw inspiration from Kenya’s public-private synergy to grow esports engagement.
Nigeria is becoming the face of African esports. Platforms like Gamr Africa host tournaments across the continent and promote youth participation through mobile competitions. Their event, Gamr X, brought in hundreds of players from over 15 countries.
The focus on mobile esports is not accidental. Most Nigerian players access games through mobile networks. This mirrors Thailand’s mobile-first culture and points toward scalable growth even in markets with limited PC infrastructure.
South Africa leads the continent in terms of organized tournaments and partnerships. The African Cyber Gaming League (ACGL) hosts regular events in games like CS:GO, FIFA, and Fortnite. South Africa also became the first African country to integrate eDiski Esports—a FIFA-based tournament backed by the football league.
Here, we see how a well-structured domestic league can lead to sponsorship deals, content creation, and even betting partnerships—concepts Thailand is already familiar with.
In Kenya, telecom giant Safaricom launched a gaming initiative to nurture young talent. Their support helped popularize tournaments and gaming cafes in both urban and rural areas.
Corporate sponsorship has been a missing puzzle in many developing esports markets. Thailand’s betting operators and gaming brands can draw inspiration from Kenya’s public-private synergy to grow esports engagement.
One area where Thailand stands out is online esports betting. While still operating in a legal gray area, esports betting is growing fast, especially among younger bettors who are more familiar with gaming than traditional sports.
Popular betting platforms like BK8, 22Win, and Y88 offer real-time odds on esports tournaments globally. The most popular games for Thai esports betting include:
League of Legends (LoL)
Valorant
CS2 (Counter-Strike 2)
DOTA 2
Arena of Valor
Live betting features, in-play analytics, and mobile-friendly betting interfaces are attracting Thai users who want fast-paced, skill-based entertainment.
While Thailand is ahead in esports betting infrastructure, Africa offers valuable lessons in grassroots development, community engagement, and youth-focused strategies.
Just as Africa built its esports scene around mobile access, Thailand should prioritize mobile-friendly betting platforms and support for mobile gaming events.
African tournaments like Gamr X and ACGL showcase local talent and create betting content for regional audiences. Thailand can follow suit by investing more in local esports leagues that feed into betting platforms.
In Africa, brands are starting to sponsor tournaments, offering visibility while promoting responsible gaming. Thai sportsbooks and casinos can explore co-branded esports events, sponsorships, and even fantasy-style esports contests.
If Thailand moves toward regulated online betting, esports could act as a modern, youth-friendly gateway. Africa’s evolving legal discussions around esports betting might offer policy frameworks for Thailand to consider.
Africa’s esports story is just beginning—but its trajectory is impressive. From grassroots tournaments to mobile innovation, the continent is crafting a unique path driven by youth, energy, and accessibility.
Thailand’s esports market shares many of these traits, and with online betting becoming more mainstream, the Thai market stands at the crossroads of a major digital opportunity. By studying Africa’s model and adapting it to local strengths, Thailand can become not just a regional leader in esports—but a global force in esports betting innovation.
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