• Senegal signed a partnership to organize Efest Africa, an international gaming and esports event in Dakar.
• The national video game market reached an estimated CFA49 billion ($88.5 million) with about 1.7 million regular players in 2025.
• Authorities aim to position Dakar as a regional innovation hub under the government’s New Technological Deal strategy.

Senegal moved to structure its gaming ecosystem by signing a partnership agreement to organize Efest Africa, an international event dedicated to gaming, esports, technological innovation and digital transformation.

The Senegalese Gamers Association and the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs signed the agreement on Friday, February 13 in Dakar. The agreement defines the framework for preparing the event and sets objectives to strengthen the country’s positioning as an emerging technology hub in Africa.

New Deal Technologique 🇸🇳

Le 13 février 2026, le Ministre Alioune SALL a signé les conventions avec les partenaires de la 3e cohorte.
Une nouvelle étape pour accélérer la transformation numérique, soutenir l’innovation et étendre le digital sur tout le territoire.#Innovation pic.twitter.com/H8BKrz61vn

— New Deal Technologique (@LeNewDeal) February 14, 2026

Alioune Sall attended the signing and said the cooperation framework aims to reinforce Senegal’s technological profile on the continent. The agreement covers the design, promotion and organization of the event. The partners seek to showcase public and private initiatives, promote local startups, attract international investors and boost youth employability in digital and gaming sectors.

The initiative aligns with the government’s strategy to position Dakar as an African innovation pole under the New Technological Deal. The event will facilitate networking among entrepreneurs, mentors, institutions and partners. Under the agreement, SENGAMES will coordinate the project, mobilize partners and oversee the communication strategy, while the ministry will provide institutional backing, technical support and participation in governance bodies.

The signing comes as gaming emerges as a growing segment of Senegal’s digital economy. A 2025 study published by SENGAMES estimated the national video game market at about CFA49 billion ($88.5 million), including spending on games, microtransactions and connectivity. The study estimated that Senegal counts around 1.7 million regular players, or nearly one in ten inhabitants.

In this context, initiatives such as Efest Africa aim to further structure the national ecosystem, promote local content creation and attract investment into a sector that remains nascent but expands rapidly.

At the continental level, gaming and esports growth relies on a young and connected population and improved access to mobile internet. According to game publisher Carry1st and research firm Newzoo, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa dominate Africa’s gaming market and account for more than half of its total value, driven by rapid smartphone adoption and improved connectivity.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum