Esports is on the rise in Africa
(CNN) – Esports is the fast-growing, major money-making world of competitive video gaming. This global phenomenon is in a league of its own, where athletes may not look like your traditional sports stars — yet have huge earning potential, massive brand endorsements and even their own fans.
While many of the top players reside in Europe or the US, the African continent is looking to share in a global market that pulled in over $1 billion in 2019.
One consulting firm projects Africa’s gaming industry will increase by 12% in the next five years, with Egypt and South Africa leading the industry in revenue.
Esports is a billion-dollar industry that attracts legions of fans, such as the ones who attended this 2019 tournament in Paris.
This year, South African esports athlete Thabo “Yvng Savage” Moloi made history by becoming the first-ever player from Africa to be sponsored by Red Bull. At just 18 years old, he is South Africa’s top-rated FIFA player on PS4 and is ranked 73rd in the world.
