Exclusive: Leading With Purpose: A Pan-African Vision for Responsible and Sustainable Gaming
In this exclusive interview between iGaming AFRIKA Magazine and Olabimpe Akingba, Regional Manager Africa, Business Development & Regulatory at pawaTech, we explore the remarkable journey of a leader whose career bridges law, compliance, advocacy, responsible gaming, and pan-African regulatory engagement.
With over fifteen years of experience shaping gaming policy, advancing responsible gaming standards, and championing women and young professionals across the continent, she shares candid reflections on her path, milestones, challenges, and aspirations for Africa’s rapidly evolving gaming ecosystem. Her insights offer a rare blend of strategic depth, industry foresight, and personal conviction, shedding light on how integrity, collaboration, and human-centred innovation can drive a more sustainable and responsible future for gaming in Africa.
iGaming AFRIKA: You’ve built an impressive career spanning law, compliance, and regulation. Could you walk us through your journey and what foundational lessons prepared you for the high-level strategic work you do today?
Olabimpe Akingba: My career journey has been anything but linear, it’s been a blend of law, compliance, advocacy, and an evolving passion for responsible gaming. I began over fifteen years ago in legal practice. Those early years gave me a strong footing in structure, attention to detail, and an appreciation for the rule of law. But venturing into the gaming industry marked the moment my professional path truly came alive.
My early years working in-house with some gaming operators were truly formative, they expanded my role beyond legal advisory into compliance management, human resources, and day-to-day operations, giving me a holistic view of how businesses function and grow. I later transitioned into industry advocacy as Executive Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers, representing operators and engaging directly with regulators to foster the policy dialogue that helped shape Nigeria’s gaming landscape. That experience reinforced the importance of collaboration, transparency, and trust, principles that continue to guide my work and leadership approach today.
My journey then took a pan-African turn when I joined PawaTech (owners of the betPawa brand) as Regional Manager, Africa (Business Development & Regulatory), working across diverse markets to support expansion and strengthen regulatory relationships. Today, as Head of Responsible Gaming, I focus on ensuring that growth and responsibility go hand in hand, helping markets design frameworks that protect players while sustaining business integrity.
Looking back, each stage of my journey has added a layer to the strategic work I do today. Law gave me structure; compliance instilled discipline; advocacy taught me the value of collaboration; and business development sharpened my foresight. Above all, the gaming industry itself, with its vibrancy and constant evolution, has taught me adaptability, empathy, and the importance of staying curious.
The foundational lessons that continue to anchor me are simple: integrity in action, kindness in leadership, and the courage to keep learning. These principles guide how I navigate complex markets, lead teams, and contribute to shaping a more responsible and sustainable gaming ecosystem across Africa.
iGaming AFRIKA: From your time as Executive Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers to your current role at pawaTech, what would you say has been the most defining milestone of your career so far?
Olabimpe Akingba: While every role has shaped my growth, my time as Executive Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers laid the foundation for the strategic work I do today, sharpening my skills in advocacy, regulatory engagement, and stakeholder collaboration.
The most defining milestone, however, has been transitioning into my current role at PawaTech. It brought the challenge of understanding the gaming industry across multiple African jurisdictions, each with its own cultural nuances, regulatory frameworks, and cross-border complexities, while adapting to the dynamics of an international company.
This milestone stands out not only for the scope of responsibility but for the opportunity it gave me to shape markets, influence strategy, and promote responsible gaming across Africa. It has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my professional journey this far.
iGaming AFRIKA: You’ve helped shape conversations on gaming regulation in Nigeria and beyond. In your view, what are the biggest challenges both regulators and operators face today in achieving a fair, transparent, and sustainable market?
Olabimpe Akingba: Gaming operators across Africa face a range of challenges, such as complex and sometimes inconsistent regulatory frameworks, high taxation, the persistent presence of illegal operators, market monopolies and the absence of a dedicated gaming regulatory body in some jurisdictions. Together, these factors create high market volatility, making long-term planning, strategic investment, and sustainable growth difficult. Operators must constantly adapt to changing conditions, often without a clear roadmap, which underscores the importance of stability and predictability in the market.
Regulators, meanwhile, have their own hurdles too. Combating illegal gambling, particularly through remote and digital channels, is a constant challenge. Many also face knowledge gaps in understanding new technologies, innovative gaming products, or emerging business models. Keeping pace with the rapidly evolving industry and ensuring effective enforcement across all markets can be difficult, and gaps in oversight usually lead to unfair practices or imbalances.
Addressing these challenges requires collaboration. I have always advocated for structured engagement between regulators, operators, and governments. In many countries, regulators do not have the authority to independently make or amend certain policies, such as tax laws, which are typically set at higher levels of government, such as the tax authorities, legislative houses and/or the presidency. Regular dialogue among all stakeholders can help identify gaps, align expectations, and create frameworks that are fair, transparent, and sustainable.
iGaming AFRIKA: You’ve been recognised among iGaming Business’s Most Influential Women in Gaming (2022), Top 50 Women in Gaming Africa (2024), and the ELG 40 Under 40 (Class of 2026). What do these honours mean to you, and how have they shaped your sense of purpose?
Olabimpe Akingba: I am deeply grateful and humbled by all the recognition and awards I have received from various national and international organisations, such as iGaming Business, AGE, ELG, Gamble Alert, to name a few. These honours are a testament not only to my own efforts but to the collective work of many behind the scenes, all striving to promote a fair, responsible, and thriving gaming industry. They serve as a powerful reminder that the contributions I make are making a meaningful difference.
Beyond the accolades, these honours have strengthened my sense of purpose. They motivate me to push boundaries and reinforce my commitment to inspiring the next generation of gaming professionals as well as empowering women and young professionals to thrive in the industry, as I have done and will continue to do personally and through platforms like Women in Nigeria Gaming (WING) and Women in Gaming Africa (WIGA).
For me, recognition is not just a reflection of past work; it is a call to continue shaping the future, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for those coming up behind me.
iGaming AFRIKA: You’ve been a consistent advocate for responsible gaming and mental wellness, even highlighting betPawa’s partnership with behavioral health institutions such as Tranquil and Quest Behavioral Limited. Why does this intersection between gaming and mental health remain such a critical focus for the industry, and how can such partnerships be scaled or structured to create meaningful, long-term impact within the gaming ecosystem?
Olabimpe Akingba: Responsible gaming has always been more than a compliance requirement for me; it’s a moral and social responsibility. The intersection between gaming and mental wellness is critical because gaming, when not properly managed, can impact individuals’ emotional and psychological well-being. As industry stakeholders, we have a duty to create environments that prioritise the player’s safety and balance enjoyment with responsibility.
At betPawa, we recognise that mental wellness and responsible gaming go hand in hand, and that’s why our responsible gaming framework goes beyond messaging; it’s about real, accessible support. Through partnerships with behavioural health institutions across our markets, we provide confidential counselling and rehabilitation support to customers who need it. These partnerships are intentionally localised rather than “one-size-fits-all.” For instance, we work with Tranquil and Quest Behavioral Limited in Nigeria, Baks-Calmare Enclave Foundation in Ghana, and Imanzi Counseling and Rehabilitation Centre in Rwanda, among others.
Each organisation understands its cultural context and the nuances of the communities it serves, which makes the intervention far more effective. To create lasting impact, I believe the industry must continue to localise its mental wellness partnerships and view player protection not as a box to tick but as a shared commitment to people’s wellbeing.
iGaming AFRIKA: With the gaming industry straddling rapid expansion and increasing regulatory oversight, how can operators across Africa strike the right balance between innovation, growth ambitions, and the need for compliance, ethical responsibility, and strong consumer protection?
Olabimpe Akingba: Balancing innovation, growth, and compliance in Africa’s fast-evolving gaming industry requires foresight and discipline. Operators must see compliance not as a barrier but as a foundation for sustainable success by fostering a culture of integrity, investing in technology that streamlines compliance processes and fostering a responsible gaming culture. Growth should never come at the expense of ethics and customer trust.
Finally, when introducing innovations, gaming operators should be mindful of existing regulations as innovations should be pursued within a responsible framework, and also consider collaborating with gaming regulators and industry associations.
iGaming AFRIKA: The gaming industry remains largely male-dominated. What challenges have you faced as a woman in leadership, and what advice would you give to other women aspiring to build careers in gaming, law, or tech regulation?
Olabimpe Akingba: Early in my career, the gaming industry was overwhelmingly male-dominated, and women’s voices were often missing from decision-making tables. It sometimes meant working twice as hard to be seen, heard, and taken seriously or even get equal pay as male counterparts. What helped me overcome those barriers was consistency, excellence, and an unwavering self-belief. Over time, credibility is built not by demanding a seat at the table, but by demonstrating why your voice deserves to be there.
I must also commend how far the industry has come; we are seeing more women take on leadership roles, drive innovation, and shape policy across the continent. I’m a strong advocate for fairness in all forms, especially equal pay for equal work, because talent and impact have no gender.
My advice to women aspiring to build careers in gaming is simple: stay grounded, be curious, and never doubt the power of your voice. Beyond competence, relationships matter; it is easier for people to work with those they like and trust, therefore, build meaningful connections, maintain integrity, and be genuinely collaborative. Keep learning, master your craft, and surround yourself with mentors and allies who see your potential even before you do. Most importantly, lift others as you rise because every woman who breaks a barrier makes it easier for the next to walk through.
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