Hugo Obi, founder, Maliyo Video games, has described the way forward for gaming as numerous, inclusive, and world, with Africa enjoying a giant a part of that trajectory.
In response to him, the Pan-African sport growth studio has been constructing video games that mirror Africa’s tradition, tales, and her individuals, which he considers being the start of the worldwide enchantment for tales out of Africa.
“On the coronary heart of this progress is GameUp Africa, Maliyo’s developer coaching program launched in 2021. With over 6,000 candidates to this point, the initiative has develop into a pipeline for nurturing younger African builders — a lot of whom labored on the featured video games and Maliyo’s collaboration with Disney on Iwájú: Rising Chef,” Obi stated.
As a part of Apple’s annual editorial celebrating African innovation throughout apps, video games, music, and movie, Maliyo’s Loopy Ludo, Safari Metropolis, and Whot King had been handpicked and showcased with unique, Africa Day-themed updates — all crafted by native expertise educated by means of Maliyo’s flagship GameUp Africa initiative.
In response to Obi, the Africa Day editions of Loopy Ludo, Safari Metropolis, and Whot King can be found from Could 21, 2025 on the App Retailer and Google Play. He expressed delight that its choice for this yr’s Africa Day App Retailer celebration locations a highlight on Africa’s mobile-first gaming future and the inventive energy of African expertise.
“This recognition from Apple is a big second for us — and for African sport growth as a complete. It validates the years of arduous work by our superb staff throughout the continent. We’re proud to inform African tales by means of our video games, constructed by African builders, for a worldwide viewers,” Obi stated, disclosing that Maliyo Video games, which was based in Lagos in 2012, has develop into a cultural ambassador by means of gaming.
Obi additionally disclosed that Maliyo’s inclusion in Apple’s Africa Day characteristic follows a broader development of rising curiosity in African gaming. In response to him, a latest KPMG report revealed that the continent’s gaming trade generated over $1 billion in income final yr, cementing its place inside Africa’s inventive economic system.
