GamrX 2025: Lagos hosts Africa’s biggest esports event
Lagos hosted GamrX 2025 at the Landmark Event Centre, bringing together over 1,000 gamers from across Africa. The event featured six games with a prize pool of ₦15 million (approximately $19,500) and included participation from women and specially abled gamers. The venue provided facilities suitable for large-scale competitive gaming.
Africa’s biggest esports event
Players from nine African countries participated: Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Senegal, Cameroon, Benin, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria. Previous champions from Ghana (Mortal Kombat) and Nigeria (EA FC) returned to defend their titles, continuing an ongoing rivalry.
GamrX 2025 offered a wide variety of competitive games across different genres. Fighting games such as Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat attracted strong interest, with Ghana returning to compete in Mortal Kombat. Nigerian players aimed to maintain their performance in EA FC 25, a football simulation game. PUBG Mobile and Fortnite featured battle royale matches focused on survival and strategy, while Call of Duty Mobile emphasised teamwork and quick decision-making.
Damilola Pedro, Chief Operating Officer of the Esports Federation of Nigeria, stated, “The event is on Friday, 8th August 2025, at Landmark. We start at 12 pm and will be hosting nine African countries. It’s a $19,500 prize pool divided across the six titles. Ghana won the last Mortal Kombat, so they’re back this year to defend their title. A Nigerian won the EFC (FIFA) last year in March and is also returning this year to defend his title.”
Pedro further added, “We are also driving a lot of female inclusion. There is a social belief that only men play games. But fortunately, we are lucky to be part of the generation where women do what men do and do it well.”
Government support
Gamr Africa, the Lagos State Sports Commission, corporate sponsors, and global esports organisations collaborated to support GamrX 2025. Lagos aims to build training academies, expand esports infrastructure, and establish itself as a host for future international events.
Lagos State Director-General Lekan Fatodu emphasised that the city is expanding its focus beyond traditional sports to include esports. The initiative is supported by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with investments in infrastructure, talent development, and partnerships.
Fatodu noted, “Lagos is the hub for everything sports and is always ready to give support to talents, as sports have been a global currency and economic impacts come in the back of it. Our [Lagos government] fixation is not traditional sports like football, boxing, and table tennis. We know that it is important for us to open new space and new opportunities for people with sporting interests that are not familiar to us.”
Africa’s esports market potential
According to Western Post, Africa’s gaming industry is expected to grow steadily, with projections estimating it will exceed $10 billion by 2033. Lagos is expected to generate up to $7.9 million in esports revenue by 2029, with potential investments reaching $30 million within the next five years.
Iremide, Technical Manager at Gamr Africa, shared, “One thing we like to do with games is that it’s open at the end of the day. There is no age limit on who can come. You need to go to gamrx.net to register, and you get a free pass to the event.”
GamrX 2025 featured presentations from African game developers, showcasing titles that blended regional storytelling with global gameplay formats. The event drew thousands of in-person attendees and a larger online audience. Activities included competitive matches and general entertainment.
