ChopLife

History and Founding

Choplife Gaming was founded in 2020 by Oluwatosin "Mr Eazi" Ajibade, a prominent Nigerian Afrobeats musician and entrepreneur. The company is headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, and operates as part of The Choplife Company, which also includes a streetwear brand and a music project. The brand name "Choplife" derives from Nigerian Pidgin for "enjoy life," reflecting the company's aim to provide accessible entertainment.

Business Model and Products

Choplife Gaming's core offering is betPawa, a mobile-first platform that provides sports betting, casino games, and instant win games. The platform is designed for low-data usage and entry-level smartphones, targeting the growing base of mobile users in Africa. betPawa operates in multiple countries including Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and others, each with localised payment methods (especially mobile money), responsible gaming tools, and customer support in local languages. In addition, the company launched the Chopwin casino brand to diversify its portfolio.

Market Position and Expansion

Choplife Gaming has rapidly grown into a leading mobile betting operator in Africa, distinguished by a compliance-led expansion strategy. It has secured regulatory approvals in several West and East African nations. A notable recent expansion is into Francophone West Africa, where it obtained regulatory approval from PMU Mali, integrating mobile money payments and responsible gaming features from the start. The company's multi-market presence includes Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and Mali, with plans for further pan-African growth.

Leadership and Structure

The company is chaired by its founder, Mr Eazi, who also serves as CEO. Operational leadership includes a General Manager, Aimee P. Cyuzuzo, and a Head of Legal, Yasmin (full surname undisclosed). While the company is privately held and does not disclose detailed financials or headcount, its multi-market operations indicate significant scale. The celebrity profile of the founder brings visibility, but the operational direction is focused on compliance and local partnerships.

Social Impact and Ecosystem

Choplife Gaming also engages in social impact through the Choplife Foundation, which focuses on education and community development. The broader Choplife ecosystem includes creative and entertainment projects such as Choplife Soundsystem, though these are separate from the iGaming arm.