The future of gaming is set to be "diverse, inclusive, and global," with Africa playing a pivotal role in this transformative trajectory, according to Hugo Obi, founder of Maliyo Games. Obi, whose Pan-African game development studio has been dedicated to crafting games that echo Africa's rich culture, stories, and people, believes this is just the beginning of a burgeoning global appeal for narratives emerging from the continent.

Nurturing Talent: The GameUp Africa Initiative

Central to Maliyo Games' vision and growth is "GameUp Africa," a developer training program launched in 2021. This initiative has garnered immense interest, attracting over 6,000 applicants to date, and has become a vital pipeline for nurturing young African developers. Many of these talented individuals have contributed to Maliyo's featured games and their notable collaboration with Disney on Iwájú: Rising Chef, showcasing the program's effectiveness in fostering industry-ready talent.

Apple's Recognition: A Spotlight on African Innovation

In a significant nod to African innovation, Apple's annual editorial celebrating African creativity across apps, games, music, and film handpicked three of Maliyo's titles: Crazy Ludo, Safari City, and Whot King. These games were prominently showcased with exclusive, Africa Day-themed updates, all meticulously crafted by local talent nurtured through Maliyo's flagship GameUp Africa initiative.

The Africa Day editions of Crazy Ludo, Safari City, and Whot King became available on the App Store and Google Play from May 21, 2025. Obi expressed immense delight at this selection, emphasizing that it casts a crucial spotlight on Africa’s mobile-first gaming future and the profound creative power of African talent.

"This recognition from Apple is a huge moment for us — and for African game development as a whole," Obi stated. "It validates the years of hard work by our amazing team across the continent. We’re proud to tell African stories through our games, built by African developers, for a global audience." Founded in Lagos in 2012, Maliyo Games has evolved into a cultural ambassador, leveraging the medium of gaming to share African narratives globally.

Africa's Growing Gaming Economy

Maliyo's inclusion in Apple's Africa Day feature aligns with a broader trend of escalating interest in African gaming. Obi highlighted a recent KPMG report revealing that the continent’s gaming industry generated over $1 billion in revenue last year, firmly cementing its place within Africa’s vibrant creative economy. This financial growth, coupled with the rising tide of local talent and global recognition, positions Africa at the forefront of the next wave of gaming innovation.