(Ecofin Agency) - • Apple featured three mobile games by Maliyo Games for Africa Day
• Africa’s video game industry earned over $1 billion in revenue in 2024
• Games were updated by local talent trained through the GameUp Africa program

Apple has highlighted the work of Nigeria-based game studio Maliyo Games in celebration of Africa Day, marking a growing global recognition of Africa’s video game industry, which surpassed $1 billion in revenue in 2024.

To commemorate Africa Day on May 25, Apple showcased three mobile titles developed by Maliyo Games—Crazy Ludo, Safari City, and Whot King. Each game was updated with Africa Day themes and is now available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The updates were created by local developers trained through Maliyo’s GameUp Africa initiative, which equips young African talent with the skills to produce culturally relevant digital content.

"This recognition from Apple is a huge moment for us and for African game development as a whole," said Hugo Obi, founder of Maliyo Games. “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.”

The visibility of African video games is growing alongside youth interest and increasing mobile connectivity. According to the 2025 Africa Games Industry Report, the industry generated more than $1 billion in revenue in 2024, underlining its rising impact on the creative economy. Maliyo’s emergence is not only a business milestone, it also reflects a cultural shift. "The future of gaming is diverse, inclusive, and global, and Africa is a big part of that story,”Obi added.

Founded in 2012, Maliyo Games is known for its focus on African culture and storytelling. Apple’s support may help elevate Africa’s game development sector further into the global mainstream.