Mobile-first game design for African audiences takes centre stage at SiGMA Africa 2026
On the first day of SiGMA Africa 2026 in Cape Town, the panel on Mobile First Game Design for African Audiences highlighted product strategy. Oliver De Bono, Founder of Quantum Gaming, led a discussion with senior operators and studio leaders about how lighter builds, smart compression, and local themes affect game performance in African markets.
The panel included Ramon Glieneke, COO of Alea, Simon Munsamy, Managing Director Africa at Playtech, and Ayofemi Akinlaja, Founder of Shacks Evolution Studios. They focused on real-world design decisions shaped by connectivity, device limitations, and user behaviour across Africa.
What does mobile-first mean in Africa?
De Bono started by redefining the term. “Mobile first in Africa is not a slogan,” he said. “It is the default infrastructure. If your product is not optimised for entry-level smartphones and variable data speeds, you are limiting your own reach.”
Munsamy, with experience in sportsbook and casino products, explained, “In many African markets, the handset is the primary and only device. That affects everything from file size to load time. A few extra megabytes can mean the difference between onboarding and abandonment.”
Akinlaja, who worked in digital marketing and ad operations before starting his studio, added that user patience depends on data costs. “Designing for Africa means respecting the user’s data,” he said. “If a game drains bandwidth before it delivers value, retention will suffer.”
“Efficiency is not a constraint; it is a growth lever,” said Ramon Glieneke.
Designing for reach and retention
Glieneke, who leads operations and strategy at Alea, talked about how lighter builds and compression help with aggregation. “Studios that prioritise lighter builds and compression are easier to distribute across multiple operators,” he explained. “That scalability benefits both suppliers and local brands looking to expand quickly.”
He added that optimisation is more than a technical detail; it is necessary for entering the market. “If your game exceeds the practical limits of the average device in-market, you are excluding the very audience you are trying to acquire,” Glieneke said. “Efficiency is not a constraint; it is a growth lever.”
The panel agreed that compression is more than just a technical task; it is a business strategy. Munsamy said that streamlined graphics and optimised live content help games run better on low bandwidth. “Consistency builds trust,” he said. “If a player experiences lag during peak betting moments, they will not return.”
Akinlaja stressed the need for culturally relevant themes. “Representation matters,” he said. “When narratives, characters and environments reflect familiar contexts, engagement improves organically.”
Mobile-first game design as strategy
De Bono concluded that mobile-first game design for African audiences should be part of the concept from the start, not added later. “You cannot redesign for Africa at the final stage,” he said. “It starts with understanding the user journey from the first tap.”
The session highlighted that the African audience translates to sustainable growth, which relies on matching technology to local needs. The panel showed that choices like compression and cultural relevance directly affect reach, retention, and revenue in emerging markets.
About Alea
Alea is a B2B iGaming platform that lets casino operators access many games and suppliers through a single integration. The company focuses on clear operations, strong performance, and scalable infrastructure to support operators in both established and developing markets.
As the main partner of SiGMA Africa 2026, Alea supports the summit’s goal of encouraging sustainable growth and industry collaboration across Africa. Delegates interested in aggregation and African market expansion can meet the Alea team at Booth 065 in Cape Town.
For more insights on mobile-first game design and other industry topics, see the summit’s full agenda and connect with delegates through SiGMA Match during the Cape Town summit from 03 to 05 March 2026, endorsed by Alea.
