Africa’s Regulators Urged to Adopt Data-Led, Balanced Tax Models — AiA CEO Addresses GRAF 2025
Sun City, South Africa — November 2025- The African iGaming Alliance (AiA) has called for a major shift toward evidence-based taxation and smarter regulatory design across African gambling markets, warning that poorly structured tax systems continue to drive players offshore and weaken national revenues.
Speaking at the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF) 2025, AiA Chief Executive Officer Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe delivered a high-impact presentation titled “The Economics of Regulation: Tax Models, Market Viability and Stakeholder Equity.” The session drew strong interest from regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders from more than 20 African jurisdictions.
Kesitilwe highlighted that taxation remains “the single strongest predictor of channelisation, market stability, and investor confidence,” arguing that fiscal policy must evolve in line with digital market realities.
According to data presented, once total taxation and compliance costs exceed 25–30% of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), countries begin to see rapid migration toward offshore operators. At 56–65%, legal markets become largely uncompetitive.
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“Sustainable regulation must protect the legal market, not push it into decline,” Kesitilwe said.
He cautioned that dual taxation models, turnover taxes, payment friction and regulatory fragmentation are among the leading forces reducing domestic revenue collection.
The AiA CEO also pointed to Africa’s unique advantage: the widespread use of mobile money systems. With all transactions digitally recorded, Kesitilwe argued that regulators are well-positioned to integrate directly into payment ecosystems without unnecessary third-party costs or administrative burdens.
He emphasised four pillars for modern African regulation:
- GGR-based taxation frameworks
- Elimination of frictions and intermediaries that reduce operator margins
- Digital oversight and automation to enhance compliance
- Cross-border harmonisation to support regional investment
The message resonated strongly with GRAF delegates, many of whom are currently reviewing tax regimes, online licensing frameworks, and digital monitoring systems.
As Africa’s first continent-wide iGaming trade association, the AiA continues to position itself as a technical partner for African governments and regulators, offering policy research, comparative models, and industry insights drawn from 20+ jurisdictions and a regulated industry exceeding US$2 billion in value.
Kesitilwe concluded with a call for deeper collaboration: “We share the same goal, protecting players, sustaining revenue, and building strong, competitive markets. Data must guide every regulatory decision we make.”
The AiA is expected to publish a full policy brief on the economics of regulation in early 2026, coinciding with broader engagements with tax authorities, ministries, and regulators across the continent.
