African iGaming Alliance Launches First Africa Safer Gambling Week

The African iGaming Alliance (AiA) has launched the inaugural Africa Safer Gambling Week, bringing together regulators, operators and industry associations in a coordinated effort to improve player protection across the continent.

Beginning on 7 September, the initiative will become an annual campaign focused on ensuring the continued development of Africa's gambling industry is accompanied by effective consumer safeguards, responsible gambling practices and greater public awareness.

#PlaySafeAfrica Campaign Focuses On Player Protection

Operating under the #PlaySafeAfrica banner, each day of the campaign will focus on a different aspect of safer gambling. Topics include responsible gambling, the use of personal limits and measures designed to prevent underage gambling.

Activities throughout the week will include cooperation between regulators and industry stakeholders alongside public education and digital awareness campaigns.

AiA CEO Peter Kesitilwe said:

“As Africa’s gambling industry continues to grow, player protection must grow with it. Africa Safer Gambling Week brings regulators and industry together around a shared commitment to safer gambling and stronger consumer protection.

“We fully support consumers having the tools and information they need to gamble responsibly, this week, like every week, is about ensuring our customers’ safety.”

The initiative will also emphasise channelisation towards regulated gambling operators, with the AiA warning that illegal operators frequently operate without the player protection measures required within licensed markets.

AiA Calls For Greater Cross-Border Collaboration

The AiA is using the campaign to encourage closer cooperation between gambling stakeholders across African jurisdictions, including the sharing of responsible gambling practices and maintaining player protection as a priority within regulatory policy.

Olabimpe Akingba, Head of Responsible Gaming at pawaTech and an AiA board member, said Africa Safer Gambling Week demonstrates how greater cross-border cooperation can translate into practical action.

“At the African iGaming Alliance, we have been committed to moving beyond conversations about collaboration across African jurisdictions towards meaningful action,” Akingba said.

“And what better place to demonstrate that commitment than through player protection? The Africa Safer Gambling Week is our collaboration in action.”

AiA Expands Partnerships Across Africa

The launch coincides with further efforts by the AiA to strengthen relationships with national gambling industry organisations across the continent.

On Monday, the organisation signed a memorandum of understanding with the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers, establishing a framework for closer cooperation in Nigeria and across the wider African market. The agreement will explore collaboration in areas including safer gambling, player protection and taxation.

It follows another MoU signed with the Association of Gaming Operators of Kenya in late August, as the AiA continues to develop relationships between gambling industry stakeholders across different African jurisdictions.

The organisation intends to hold Africa Safer Gambling Week annually as it seeks to establish a coordinated approach to responsible gambling and consumer protection alongside the continued development of Africa's regulated gambling markets.