Give to Gain: Women Building the Foundations of Africa’s Gaming Industry

The African gaming industry is often described through the language of growth: rising market size, mobile-first participation, and the rapid adoption of digital platforms. While these indicators matter, growth alone does not determine whether a gaming market matures sustainably.

Across Africa, the long-term strength of the gaming sector depends on something less visible but quite consequential: governance architecture, compliance discipline, operational integrity, and public trust. These foundations shape an industry’s credibility or struggle under regulatory and reputational pressure.

As we mark International Women’s Day (IWD 2026), the theme Give to Gain offers a practical lens through which to reflect on contribution within the sector. Progress rarely comes from scale alone, it is driven by individuals who build systems, interpret regulation, strengthen institutions, and sustain operational standards.

Across Africa, from Nigeria, Ghana to South Africa, Kenya, and beyond, women have quietly contributed to the legal, regulatory, operational, and advisory structures that underpin the industry’s development. Their contributions illustrate a simple reality: when professionals give expertise, stewardship, and continuity to a sector, the industry gains resilience.

Nigeria: Governance, Institutional Memory, and Operational Foundations

Nigeria’s gaming ecosystem is among the most dynamic in Africa. It operates within layered regulation, rapid digital transformation, and evolving compliance expectations. Within this environment, women have played meaningful roles across legal stewardship, institutional governance, and operational leadership.

One of the earliest influences on the development of Nigeria’s sports betting industry was Damilare Alabi , co-founder of the pioneering platform Nairabet, widely credited as the first online betting platforms in the country. Her role in the early stages of the industry helped demonstrate the viability of digital betting models within Nigeria’s market.

On the regulatory front, Olafadeke Akeju served as the pioneer Board Secretary and Legal Adviser of the Lagos State Lotteries Board (now the Lagos State Lotteries & Gaming Authority). Her early work contributed to shaping the governance and legal structures supporting gaming oversight and the digitization of lottery operations in Nigeria that endures to date.

That regulatory continuity continues through professionals such as Adetoun Julianah Adeyemi, whose role within the Lagos State Lotteries & Gaming Authority reflects the importance of institutional memory and consistent policy interpretation in managing a complex regulatory landscape.

Industry coordination has also benefited from steady leadership. Olabimpe Akingba, through her administrative stewardship as Executive Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers (ANB), played an instrumental role in strengthening the association’s organizational capacity and supporting collective industry representation in regulatory engagement. Today, ANB continues that work under the leadership of Gift Tuadibofa, representing a new generation of emerging industry professionals.

Together, these contributions highlight how legal expertise, regulatory continuity, and operational leadership intersect to support industry growth in Nigeria.

Ghana: Compliance Leadership and Regulatory Communication

Ghana’s gaming sector provides a strong example of the importance of balanced regulation and consumer protection. Within this environment, women have contributed significantly to the compliance and communications frameworks that sustain regulatory credibility.

At the Gaming Commission of Ghana, Gifty-Rita Amoah, Deputy Director (Legal), has played a key role in legal oversight, regulatory compliance, and policy engagement, including work on advertising standards and regulatory interpretation.

Complementing this legal and compliance function is Beatrice Baiden, APR , Public Relations Manager at the Commission. Her role underscores the importance of communication strategy in ensuring that regulatory expectations are understood not only by operators but also by the public.

In Ghana’s regulatory environment, enforcement is strengthened by clarity, transparency, and engagement, areas where women have played important leadership roles.

South Africa: Governance and Responsible Gambling Leadership

South Africa represents one of the most mature gaming regulatory frameworks on the continent, where responsible gambling and governance oversight are central to the industry’s legitimacy.

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) has long been a cornerstone of player protection in the region. Its Executive Director, Sibongile Simelane-Quntana , has been actively involved in promoting responsible gambling awareness and safeguarding player welfare.

At the regulatory level, amongst many others, Vuyelwa Qinga Vika, Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Gambling Board, reflects the importance of governance leadership in maintaining accountability and regulatory stability.

These roles highlight an essential truth: social responsibility and regulatory oversight are not peripheral to gaming; they are central to its sustainability.

Kenya and East Africa: Emerging Leadership and Market Structuring

Across Kenya and East Africa, the gaming industry has undergone significant regulatory transformation. Evolving frameworks around taxation and licensing demand strong leadership. In Kenya, Dr. Jane Mwikali Makau, former chairperson of the BCLB, and Esther Argwings , Assistant Director at the BCLB, have been central to these reforms. Additionally, Aileen Mima of Carnaval Kenya continues to lead in corporate governance. This drive for stability extends to Angola, where Nerethz Tati, Director General of the Instituto de Supervisão de Jogos (ISJ), is leading the modernization of the gaming landscape. Together, these women ensure that digital growth is balanced with governance discipline and regulatory alignment.

Pan-African Networks and Ecosystem Support

Beyond national markets, professional networks and advisory communities have become important drivers of industry capacity. Professionals including Zu Tohtayeva of SteelRose Legal and Lola Okulo of TACT communication have contributed to cross-border advisory work, communications strategy, and regulatory engagement; helping operators, investors, and policymakers navigate Africa’s diverse gaming landscape.

Platforms such as Women in Gaming Africa, founded by Lois Bright , and Women in Nigeria Gaming founded by Olafadeke Akeju provide mentorship, visibility, and leadership development within a sector historically dominated by men. SLEC AFRICA, a female founded organization continues to champion capacity building, training, research and knowledge preservation for the Africa gaming industry.

These networks play a critical role in strengthening knowledge exchange, professional development, and sector dialogue across jurisdictions.

The Gaming Industry’s Strategic Gain

The African gaming industry does not gain strength from visibility alone, it gains strength from structure, discipline, and the professionals who sustain systems over time.

IWD 2026 is therefore more than a moment of celebration. It is a reminder that progress depends on those who build governance frameworks, interpret regulation, safeguard players, and maintain operational standards.

When the industry values that contribution, it gains stability.

When it protects institutional knowledge, it gains resilience.

When it supports responsible leadership, it gains trust.

This is the true meaning of Give to Gain. And across Africa’s gaming sector, women continue to give expertise, leadership, and continuity that strengthens the industry’s future.

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