Enugu Gaming Conference 2025: Shaping Nigeria’s Gaming Future from the South East

iGaming Afrika April 17, 2025

3 minutes read

The Enugu Gaming Conference 2025, scheduled for July 30th and 31st at the prestigious International Conference Centre, Enugu, is set to be one of the most influential gatherings in Nigeria’s gaming industry calendar. With the theme “From Unification to Diversification – Shaping Nigeria’s Gaming Future,” this year’s edition is positioned to drive a deeper dialogue on the trajectory of gaming regulation, technology, investment, and inclusion in the Nigerian and African context.

A Booming Industry in Transition

Nigeria’s gaming sector has experienced rapid growth in recent years. According to the National Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), over 60 million Nigerians are actively engaged in gaming, and the industry generates more than ₦730 billion annually (The Guardian Nigeria). The proliferation of smartphones, increased internet penetration, and a youthful demographic have been major drivers of this boom.

A 2024 report by KPMG Africa highlighted Nigeria as Africa’s fastest-growing gaming market, with revenues crossing $185 million in 2022, outpacing markets like Kenya and South Africa in digital game adoption (BusinessDay NG). The need for policy alignment, innovation, and a localized approach to regulation is becoming increasingly apparent—hence the critical timing of the Enugu Gaming Conference 2025.

Enugu’s Emerging Gaming Ecosystem

Backed by the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission (ESGC) and the government of Governor Peter Mbah, the Enugu Gaming Conference is a platform for strategic positioning of Enugu State as the epicenter of responsible, tech-driven gaming in Nigeria. The government’s economic transformation blueprint envisions a GDP increase from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, with the gaming and digital entertainment sectors identified as key contributors (ThisDay Live).

According to Prince Arinze Arum, Executive Secretary/CEO of ESGC, “The Enugu Gaming Conference is more than just a gathering. It’s a statement of intent by Enugu State to harness gaming for economic development, tech innovation, youth engagement, and regional leadership. This year’s theme reflects the critical need to shift from a centralized, fragmented market to a diversified, collaborative ecosystem.”

A National Impact with Regional Emphasis

While the event is hosted in the South East, its implications are national. Nigeria used to operate a dual gaming regulation system—federal and state-led—often causing overlapping mandates. The 2025 conference will provide a forum to show how the system has been structured to align interests between operators, regulators, technology providers, investors, and legal experts based on a landmark Supreme Court ruling of 2024 that excluded the federal as regulators in the industry.

Key highlights of the conference include:

Panel Discussions on Regulation & Policy: Focused on decentralization and the evolving role of state regulatory agencies.

Technology & Innovation Showcases: Featuring emerging solutions in gaming software, compliance tech, payment systems, and consumer protection.

Investment Pitches & Stakeholder Forums: Designed to connect investors with high-growth gaming startups and projects.

Exhibitions: Local and international companies will showcase products and services across betting, lottery, esports, and casual gaming.

Economic, Social and Technological Value

The potential impact of this year’s conference is multi-dimensional. From a job creation and investment attraction perspective, the event is expected to strengthen Enugu’s economy and attract inflows across tourism, hospitality, tech infrastructure, and creative services.

Importantly, the conference also champions responsible gaming, addressing key issues such as addiction, data privacy, youth exposure, and social awareness. ESGC has been intentional in aligning with other state commissions to promote ethical standards across platforms.

With over 1,000 expected participants, including policymakers, business leaders, developers, legal experts, and international observers, the Enugu Gaming Conference 2025 is not just another industry event—it is a strategic intervention aimed at shaping the future of gaming in Nigeria. As the theme suggests, the path forward is not unification for its own sake, but strategic diversification that empowers every region and stakeholder to contribute meaningfully.

For more information or to register, visit the official website: www.enugugamingconference.com.

Vannessa Ayogu is the project coordinator for Events Arcade Solutions Limited, responsible for hosting Enugu Gaming Conference 2025. She is based in Enugu.

By: Vannessa Ayogu

May 2025