It’s not every day a Call of Duty: Mobile tournament makes the front page of culture, but the Carry1st Africa Cup Grand Finals 2025 isn’t a normal gaming event.

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This weekend, August 30–31, eight of the best mobile esports teams from across the continent will hit Lagos to battle it out at D Podium International Event Centre, at the heart of the city’s capital. A $15,000 prize pool is at stake, but as impressive as it stands, it’s not the most alluring feature of this grand event.

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For the first time, the winning team will go on to represent Africa at the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship 2025, where the global prize pool is sitting at a humongous $1 million.

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But what’s more interesting? This tournament covers more than just the gameplay or competitive aspects. A combination of community, tech, music, brands, and youth culture; no one would disagree if you called it a gaming festival of epic proportions. It’s got DJs, fresh gum activations, a Guinness World Record attempt, and maybe even a few viral moments. It's esports at its finest, and history will be made.

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What’s the Carry1st Africa Cup and Why Should You Care?

On the off-chance you have no idea what’s happening, here’s the quick version: Carry1st is a publishing company specializing in gaming and digital content in frontier markets. Think of them as the folks bringing global IPs like Call of Duty®: Mobile into local African markets, and doing it in a way that makes sense: localized payments, community tournaments, digital marketplaces, the whole thing.

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The Africa Cup is their flagship tournament. It started as a way to showcase local talent; now it’s become the continent’s biggest CODM showdown. This year, it’s even bigger: with Africa finally clinching berths on the world stage, the Finals are the official African qualifier for the global CODM World Championship. That’s the kind of bridge that didn’t exist even two years ago.

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So, how much do this weekend’s affairs matter? A LOT. We’re witnessing African esports take a significant step onto the world stage; not as an afterthought, but as a genuine contender.

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Who’s Playing? A Quick Look at the Final Eight

You don’t need to know the CODM meta or follow scrim stats to appreciate the level of competition here. These are legit teams that have committed sweat and blood in this competition, and are all poised to wear the coveted crown:

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• Sierra7 (Nigeria) – They’re the home team, and the back-to-back national champs. The crowd’s gonna be loud for them.
  
  
• ParadoX (South Africa) – Probably the cleanest team in the bracket. Every match feels like a playbook.
  
  
• Aura 233 (Ghana) – Stylish, clever, unpredictable. When they win, they win big.
  
  
• Bear Clan (Egypt) – Formerly Instinct. Big name in North African circles. Methodical and ruthless.
  
  
• Delta eSports (Kenya) – Scrappy and aggressive. They don’t hold back, which makes them dangerous.
  
  
• Nondescript Gaming (Uganda) – Don’t let the name fool you. They’re one of the fastest-rising teams in East Africa.
  
  
• Sage Gaming (Senegal) – Quiet but dominant. Everyone’s sleeping on them — they might shock the bracket.
  
  

Whoever takes it all is going to have a serious following by Monday.

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What Makes the Carry1st Africa Cup Grand Finals an Inclusive Cultural Moment

As we’ve said before; the Africa Cup 2025 finals is an event built for more than just gamers. The way Carry1st has set up the weekend? It’s got something for everyone:

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Spotify Fan Zone: Meticulously Crafted Musical Atmosphere
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Spotify is doing more than setting the soundtrack; they’re orchestrating the emotional tone of the entire weekend. As the Official Music Sponsor, they’re delivering:

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• Live performances by DJs and local artists, creating an authentic festival vibe in what could otherwise feel like a sterile competition space.
  
  
• A curated “Carry1st Africa Cup Official Playlist”, blending Afrobeats, “Afro-gaming” tracks, and continental favorites. Fans voted on tracks during the Nigeria regional finals on August 3 and the playlist officially dropped on August 3, with a grand reveal in the week of August 11. Listen to it here!
  
  
• A Fan Zone equipped with:
  
  
  
  • A music lounge
    
    
  • Interactive activities
    
    
  • Phone charging stations
    
    
  • Exclusive Spotify giveaways
    Each feature elevates the experience beyond gaming, ensuring everyone—gamer or not—feels invited.
    
    

In the words of Carry1st’s VP Guillaume Noé: 

“The Carry1st Africa Cup is about a celebration of African youth, talent, and creativity. Partnering with Spotify allows us to take this to the next level, uniting music and gaming to give fans an unforgettable experience.”

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Mentos Is Coming in Fresh
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The Official Chewing Gum Sponsor for the Grand Finals, Mentos is taking the whole experience to the next level. They’re designing a space for comfort, socializing, and brand interaction:

• The Mentos “refresh zones” serve as low-pressure hubs where attendees can:
  
  
  
  • Grab a mint
    
    
  • Relax between matches
    
    
  • Participate in mini-games or quick photo ops
    
    
  • Interact informally with influencers or brand reps

It’s a low-key but thoughtful touch that makes the space feel inclusive for gamers and non-gamers alike, creating a more relaxed, welcoming environment.

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And… A Guinness World Record Attempt?
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Mavis Lucky, a 25-year-old content creator from Port Harcourt, will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the most selfies taken in three minutes; targeting 300 selfies, surpassing the current record of 184.

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Inspired by previous record attempts she managed, Mavis sees this as a symbol of community and agency:

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“A selfie is a digital signature; it’s personal, expressive, and intentional. This record is like a game to me, and every selfie is a power‑up.”

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Anyone can upload a selfie via MavisWorldRecordSelfies.com. Uploaded images will be part of the official Guinness memorabilia, and participants can even order personalized certificates.

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How to Attend
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If you’re in Lagos or can get there, tickets are live at cup.carry1st.com. They’re moving fast, and if last year’s attendance was any clue, expect packed seats and standing-room crowds.
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• Dates: August 30–31
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• Location: D Podium International Event Centre, Aromire, Ikeja, Lagos
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• Tickets: cup.carry1st.com
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Can’t make it in person? Here's how to watch:

• YouTube livestream via @carry1st
  
  
• K24 Digital if you’re in Kenya
  
  
• GH One TV if you’re in Ghana
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Final Thought

When the final dust settles on August 31, the crowned champion won’t just hold a title; they’ll embody a leap forward for African esports. This is Africa staking its claim, proving that its passion, creativity, and skill aren’t just locally competitive: they’re globally formidable. As the winner advances to the world stage, they carry all of African gaming with them.

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That’s more than history in the making; it’s the inauguration of a new era.