African women turning gaming into a living

Loading player...
Africa's video gaming industry is booming. The sector generated more than $1 billion in revenue in 2024, with mobile gaming making up around 90% of the market, according to KPMG. Although the industry has long been dominated by men, more women are entering the space, building careers as content creators, professional gamers and esports competitors. But breaking into the industry isn't always easy. Many female gamers continue to face abuse and harassment online. So what is it like to be a woman in Africa's gaming community? And why are more young Africans choosing gaming as a full-time career?

Focus on Africa's Nkechi Ogbonna speaks to 30-year-old Techna from South Africa, who left her job to become a full-time gamer, and 25-year-old Saphra from Kenya about the opportunities, challenges and future of gaming on the continent.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash, Carolyne Jotham, Bella Twine and Brian Khisa
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
31 Jul 11AM English United Kingdom News

Other recent episodes

Nigeria plans to decriminalise attempted suicide

The Nigerian government plans to decriminalise attempted suicide. It is currently an offence punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine or both. Suicide is a major public health concern, with the country recording around 300,000 attempts every year, and at least 7,000 deaths. We hear from a…
24 Aug 11AM 22 min

Surviving an acid attack

Imagine living with the lifelong physical and psychological scars of an attack fuelled by misogyny or romantic rejection. It’s the brutal reality for many women globally, yet the stigma of acid violence forces most survivors into silence. Focus on Africa podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna sits down with two survivors. They…
21 Aug 11AM 22 min

Moroccan Influencer jailed over public indecency

A Moroccan influencer is serving a ten month jail sentence for violating public decency laws. Soukaina Janah was found guilty of inappropriate behaviour while marketing a dress on TikTok. She has also been banned from using her social media accounts for three years. Also, rising water levels in Kenya's Baringo…
20 Aug 11AM 22 min

Uganda to send troops to Gaza

Uganda's parliament has approved plans to deploy it's troops to Gaza under a U.S.-backed International Stabilization Force mission. This is an invitation from President Donald Trump's Board of Peace initiative which is meant to oversee post war transition. The International Stabilisation Force (ISF) would be made up of countries willing…
19 Aug 11AM 22 min

Somalia: Humanitarian agency warns malnutrition

An international medical charity is warning that children in southwest Somalia face alarming food shortages. A survey by Doctors Without Borders found half the children screened were acutely malnourished and one quarter severely malnourished. According to a survey by Doctors Without Borders, that was conducted over 800 households in 14…
18 Aug 11AM 22 min