• Senegal’s Gamers Association and the Digital Ministry signed a partnership to organize Efest Africa in Dakar.

• Senegal’s video game market reached an estimated CFA49 billion ($88.5 million) in 2025, with 1.7 million regular players.

• The government aims to position Dakar as an African innovation hub under its New Deal Technologique strategy.

The Senegalese Gamers Association and the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Affairs signed a partnership agreement on Friday, February 13 in Dakar to organize Efest Africa. The agreement defines the framework for preparing the international event dedicated to gaming, esports, technological innovation and digital transformation in Senegal.

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 strengthen the country’s positioning as an emerging technology hub on the continent. The agreement covers the design, promotion and organization of the event. Organizers aim to showcase public and private initiatives, promote local start-ups, 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 hub through the New Deal Technologique. The event will also facilitate networking among entrepreneurs, mentors, institutions and partners.

Under the agreement, SENGAMES will oversee overall project coordination, partner mobilization and communication strategy. The ministry will provide institutional backing, technical support and participation in governance bodies.

The signing comes as gaming gains ground as an emerging 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 country counts around 1.7 million regular gamers, or nearly one in ten inhabitants.

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 is expanding rapidly.

At the continental level, gaming and esports growth relies on a young and increasingly connected population and improving access to mobile internet. According to game publisher Carry1st and market 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