From the growing number of gamers to the increasing interest from stakeholders globally and the booming esports economy, Esports in Africa is on the rise. Gamers now hold competitions in their country of origin with several players trying to stake their claims as undisputed champions in their respective countries. With a Newzoo report suggesting that there are over 700 million gamers in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, the stage is set for a tournament which is where GAMR AFRICA comes in. Designed to aggregate the African gaming ecosystem and break barriers to global tournament access, the company is focused on developing the African esports industry for Pan-African gamers, sports, and entertainment enthusiasts.
On the 2nd of April, 2022, Africa’s leading esports organization made history by hosting the first edition of GamrX. After several months of planning, a historic tournament created to showcase the skills of African esports players was born. Players from 10 countries converged at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos, Nigeria to compete for the cash prize of $15,000. They played FIFA22, Mortal Kombat 11, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Red Bull Kumite featuring Streetfighter. Before the finale in Lagos, there were several qualifying rounds held across the participating nations which included Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Benin Republic, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, and Nigeria. Prior to the finale, there was also an Industry Night to celebrate the stakeholders and key players in the African esports industry.
The finale was an experience like never before with a blend of Esports and African pop culture. Famous African artists like BNXN and Blaqbonez thrilled the crowd present at the event as well as those that were streaming it live. Popular faces in the entertainment space from across Africa present at the event included Bizzle Osikoya, Charles Anazodo, Cordell Robbin-Coker, Dr Sid, Ronny Lusigi, Qkwecy Hayford, and Ivan Kibuuka. GamrX was an event crowned with great knockouts, takedowns, counterattacks, and finishes that will definitely live long in the hearts of those present. Winners from various stages of the tournament were from different countries with Tanzania winning the FIFA22, Cote D’ Ivoire winning the Streetfighter battle and Nigeria winning the Call of Duty battle.
Following a successful event with 10 Countries, 5 Game Titles, 1,000 Esports players, and 40,000 attendees/viewers, the COO of Gamr Africa, Sholakunmi Adenipebi says GamrX will be held annually, adding that there is a plan to increase the number of participating countries and players in the next edition. In an interview, he said that the level of acceptance and support the brand got during the planning and course of the entire event showed how much Africans have been yearning for an Esports event of this size. From all indications, X, as it is popularly called, is here to stay and that is excellent news for the African Esports Ecosystem.