Women in Gaming Africa
- Founded
- 2024-01-01 in Cape Town, South Africa
- Headquarters
- Cape Town, South Africa
Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa, Women in Gaming Africa is a pan-African non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering, connecting, and elevating women across the African gaming industry. Created as a “by the industry, for the industry” initiative, the platform addresses the underrepresentation of women in African iGaming, esports, and video game development by providing networking, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities. The organisation was founded by Lois Bright, a recognised advocate for gender inclusion, who launched the platform to bridge the gap between talented women and industry leadership. Women in Gaming Africa has quickly become a central hub for professional development, hosting regular events, panel discussions, and hangouts in partnership with major industry players. The initiative maintains an active online presence and has announced strategic collaborations including a partnership with SiGMA World to promote inclusivity in Cape Town and a planned collaboration with ICE Barcelona 2026. With a lean team of around 30 employees, the organisation focuses on scaling its impact through curated content, leadership spotlights, and peer-to-peer support. Women in Gaming Africa is positioned as a key diversity driver within the rapidly growing African iGaming sector, aiming to ensure that women are not only participants but leaders and innovators in the industry’s future.
Detailed Review
History & Founding
Women in Gaming Africa was founded in 2024 by Lois Bright, a veteran of the African corporate and entrepreneurial worlds. Bright identified a gap in structured support for women entering and advancing in the traditionally male-dominated gaming and betting industries. Drawing on her own career growth through peer mentorship, she launched the organisation as a formal non-profit based in Cape Town, South Africa. The platform was designed to be a grassroots, industry-led initiative, encapsulated by its tagline “By the Industry, for the Industry.”
Business Model
The organisation operates as a non-profit and does not sell commercial products. Its primary output is a supportive ecosystem for women at all career stages across gambling, gaming, and esports. Funding likely comes from industry sponsorships (e.g., SiGMA World, ICE Barcelona) and possibly grants focused on gender equality in technology. No for-profit arms or revenue figures have been disclosed. The team is lean, with an estimated 11–50 employees, though only six are publicly listed on LinkedIn, suggesting reliance on volunteers and part-time contributors.
Key Activities & Partnerships
Women in Gaming Africa’s core offerings include a networking community (website and LinkedIn group), a structured mentorship programme, and regular industry events such as panel discussions and social hangouts. Notable recent events include the Women in Gaming Hangout with Esports Africa and a panel on “The Rise of the Female Player in Africa.” Strategic partnerships amplify its reach: a collaboration with SiGMA World to launch a Cape Town chapter focused on leadership development, and a formal collaboration with ICE Barcelona 2026 to host a dedicated programme at the global expo. These partnerships provide international visibility and resources.
Reach & Impact
As of early 2025, the organisation has over 3,500 LinkedIn followers and a growing Instagram audience. It has been covered by major iGaming trade media including iGaming Business, SiGMA World, and iGaming Afrika, indicating strong industry credibility. Through its advocacy, thought leadership spotlights, and peer support, Women in Gaming Africa aims to ensure women are not only participants but leaders and innovators in Africa’s rapidly expanding gaming sector.
Key Products
womeningamingafrica.org (Website)
Central hub for community, resources, event registration, and founder story.
Mentorship Programme
Structured one-on-one and group mentorship connecting seasoned professionals with newcomers.
SiGMA Cape Town Partnership
Co-hosted events and leadership initiatives in partnership with SiGMA World to drive inclusivity.
Women in Gaming Hangouts
In-person and virtual networking events (e.g., with Esports Africa) for community building.
Women in Gaming Africa Community (LinkedIn)
Primary professional networking group for members, with job postings, discussions, and event announcements.
ICE Barcelona 2026 Collaboration
Formal partnership to bring a dedicated African women-in-gaming track to the ICE Barcelona global conference.
Offices & Headcount
30 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- Lois Bright
Speaker