Lagos to Host 11,000 Gaming Leaders for Jobs Push

Africa's gaming industry is stepping onto the world stage, and Lagos is rolling out the red carpet for a conference that could reshape economic opportunities across the continent.

The 2026 Africa Gaming Expo will bring 11,000 delegates to Lagos from March 24 to 27. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will host regulators, tech innovators, investors, and gaming operators from across Africa and beyond.

This marks the third year for the conference, themed "Africa's Gaming Market: Frontier to Prominence." The title captures what organizers see as Africa's evolution from an emerging market to a serious global player in gaming and lottery industries.

Bashir Are, CEO of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, announced the event at a recent press conference. He emphasized that the expo reinforces Lagos as Africa's leading hub for commerce, technology, and regulation.

The conference tackles the practical challenges of building a sustainable gaming industry. Sessions will cover responsible gaming practices, financial compliance, digital payment systems, and how different African nations can work together on shared regulations.

Major organizations are backing the effort. The Gaming Regulators Africa Forum, International Association of Gaming Regulators, Association of Nigeria Bookmakers, and the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria have all endorsed the event.

The Ripple Effect

The focus on job creation extends far beyond the gaming tables and lottery tickets. As Africa's gaming sector matures, it needs compliance officers, technology specialists, financial analysts, customer service teams, and regulatory experts.

Cross-border collaboration means opportunities can spread across multiple African economies. When nations share best practices and align regulations, companies can operate more efficiently across borders, creating more jobs and generating more tax revenue for public services.

The expo also highlights how gaming revenue can diversify African economies. Countries less dependent on single industries like oil or agriculture gain stability when new sectors flourish.

The four-day event will feature policy discussions, technology showcases, investor forums, and networking sessions. An awards night will celebrate industry leaders, while a regulators' roundtable will tackle pressing policy questions facing African nations.

Lagos hosting this gathering sends a clear message: Africa's gaming industry has arrived, and it's ready to compete globally while creating meaningful opportunities at home.