Lagos Games Week 2025 returned for its second edition from June 19–21 under the bold theme “African Talent, Global Markets – Play Without Borders.” Hosted in Nigeria’s economic hub, the convention signals the country’s ambition to be at the heart of Africa’s gaming industry.
 

As global attention turns to emerging markets, Nigeria is positioning itself as a continental leader in games, aiming to catalyze homegrown studios and businesses capable of generating $100 million+ annually in the next five years. Achieving that means creating a space for local market creation, cross-border trade, international publishing deals and sustained talent development.
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How It Went Down
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Lagos Games Week (LGW) 2025 featured a packed agenda of talks, workshops, exhibitions and B2B networking opportunities. Tracks were designed around pragmatic, industry-first topics: game development craft, origin stories of successful African studios, culture shaping through games, investment and financing, trade and business development, games for good, and emerging technologies like AI and XR. The aim was to move beyond conversation into actionable strategies,  spotlighting market access, IP ownership and export readiness for African developers.
 

Backed by partners like the French Embassy in Nigeria and featuring global players such as Ubisoft, Ustwo Games, Digital Schoolhouse, and Minecraft partner Endorah, the event drew notable international interest. “Africa has original creative voices… video games can become a thriving cultural export and economic lever,” said Christophe Pecot of the French Embassy, underscoring why France and others are investing in the African gaming ecosystem.
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Local industry leaders also took the stage. Bukola Akingbade, founder of Lagos Games Week convener Kucheza Gaming, stressed the need for being “Game Ready”; meaning skills, capacity, infrastructure and investment, for Africans to play in the global arena. Lagos-based studio Maliyo Games showcased its journey and highlighted the inflection point the industry faces. “For too long, African game developers have operated on the periphery of global gaming,” noted Maliyo founder Hugo Obi. “This is changing. What we need now are scalable platforms, long-term investment and trade-focused dialogues like [LGW] is fostering.”. 

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This reflects a broader shift across African creative sectors (music, film, fashion) toward owning IP, scaling regionally, and monetizing globally. In games, the stakes are commercial as well as cultural: the chance to build a new pillar of the digital economy by producing content for both local consumption and global audiences.

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Why it matters
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Showcasing regional talent and linking it with global opportunities is precisely the mandate that events like LGW serve. By bringing international publishers, investors, and experts to Lagos, the event helps African developers access global markets and mentorships that were previously out of reach. 

This aligns strongly with the mission of uniting Africa’s gaming community and unlocking the continent’s market for global brands. A successful Lagos Games Week could have a legacy beyond the annual gathering, potentially creating a pipeline of globally competitive African studios that contribute to local economies and culture, with Lagos as their launchpad. In short, Nigeria is leveraging such platforms to ensure African games and esports talent “play without limits” and find an audience well beyond the continent.