Africa’s iGaming industry has grown remarkably in the past decade, driven by rapid digital transformation, mobile penetration, and an expanding youth population embracing online entertainment. The continent’s gaming market is now one of the fastest-growing globally, with regulators, operators, and technology providers shaping a thriving digital economy. Yet, even with this momentum, women remain underrepresented in many leadership, technical, and product development roles—a challenge the industry is now working to change.
Recognizing the need to highlight women’s contributions and encourage more participation, iGaming AFRIKA, in partnership with iGaming Consult Africa, iGaming AFRIKA Summit, and Women in Gaming Africa, hosted a webinar to spotlight women’s experiences across the sector. Supported by Digitain, EveryMatrix, Kiron Interactive, RavenTrack, and SOFTSWISS, the session brought together female industry leaders to discuss opportunities, challenges, and strategies for growth in iGaming.
Panelists included Kate Wainaina, Head of Growth and Partnerships at EuroVirtuals Limited; Akinade Bukola, Group Head of Sales at Winners Golden Group; Neya Hiralal, Head of Digital at World Sports Betting; Philisiwe Bhengu, Founding Director of Research iGaming; and Ekaterina Mayorova, Head of Region, Africa and CIS at QTech Games and Lynn Gitau.
As iGaming becomes more data-driven and technologically advanced, the demand for skilled professionals has surged. Yet, expertise in coding or design alone no longer guarantees success. Philisiwe Bhengu emphasized the importance of developing both technical and strategic skills, noting that women must understand the broader business landscape to stay competitive. “When you understand how the business works, you gain an advantage,” she said, encouraging women to make use of online learning and AI-driven tools to upskill.
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With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and advanced analytics, the global gaming industry is undergoing a major transformation. However, true innovation thrives when diverse perspectives are included. Neya Hiralal highlighted how inclusion is shaping the next phase of digital entertainment: “AI is reshaping everything at an incredible pace,” she said. “When diverse voices especially women—are part of creative processes, the results are more authentic and profitable.”
Networking has long been a cornerstone of career growth in iGaming, where visibility often leads to opportunity. Many women are however, still hesitate to take up space in this highly connected industry. Akinade Bukola urged women to embrace confidence and courage, saying, “You have to take that bold step—that’s how you represent women in a good light.” Ekaterina Mayorova reinforced this point, emphasizing the value of building relationships across the ecosystem. “Gaming offers incredible opportunities to build networks through events,” she noted. “You don’t need to tick every box to apply for a role. Take the chance you might be exactly what the company needs.”
Representation remains one of the most powerful tools for change. In Africa’s gaming market still heavily influenced by traditional gender norms seeing women in leadership and technical roles can inspire a new generation to join the industry. Kate Wainaina pointed out that cultural perceptions often discourage women from pursuing such paths. “It is naturally skewed to a male-dominated field,” she said, “but things are changing. Initiatives like Women in Gaming programs and webinars such as these are helping shift the narrative.”
She added that visibility in marketing and recruitment is equally critical: “Representation matters. When women see other women in gaming campaigns, they start to imagine themselves in those roles.” Africa’s iGaming ecosystem is no longer limited to betting and casino operations. It now encompasses technology, compliance, marketing, content creation, and responsible gaming. “There is no limitations at the industry anymore as long as you have a certain skill,” said Kate. “The opportunities are countless from compliance and marketing to product design and AI.”
Philisiwe echoed this, emphasizing that iGaming “is bigger than just gambling. It’s a digital ecosystem full of niches.” She encouraged women to explore emerging roles, build expertise, and challenge outdated assumptions about the industry.
The rise of mobile gaming and localized content has opened space for African innovation. Ekaterina Mayorova noted that homegrown creativity could transform the continent’s global footprint in iGaming. “If you can create a game from Africa, for Africans, that’s innovation,” she said, highlighting new opportunities for storytellers, developers, photographers, and videographers.
Neya emphasized that personal growth in the iGaming industry comes from embracing risks, stepping outside one’s comfort zone, and remaining adaptable in a constantly evolving environment. She explained that the industry rewards those who are willing to learn, experiment, and take bold initiatives, even when the outcome is uncertain. According to her, every decision to pursue new opportunities or challenges reflects confidence in one’s potential and helps build resilience.
The panelists agreed that Africa’s iGaming industry is growing quickly, and women are becoming a key part of its progress. They noted that the sector is still developing, offering plenty of room for growth to those who are eager to learn and adapt. For newcomers, the speakers advised networking, keeping up with trends, and building transferable skills. They also encouraged attending industry events and joining online communities to learn, connect, and discover new opportunities.
