Games Industry Africa Awards (GIAA) is an initiative to recognise, celebrate as well as promote the diverse portfolio of video games from the continent annually. The industry in Africa is largely, but still relatively nascent compared to its geographical contemporaries. An acknowledgement of the pool of talent is a way to aid continuous growth as well as inspire the next generation of creators and developers.

It’s been another strong year for the African games industry. This has made distilling and highlighting the achievements of the many movers and shakers into their respective categories a real challenge. In an ecosystem that makes giant strides every year, simply being nominated is a phenomenal achievement so this should be viewed as a celebration of being part of this vibrant industry. Huge congratulations to all nominees!

Also a massive thank you to the sponsors of this years GIAA – Pingle Studios!

Industry Initiative of the Year

This award recognises technical achievements over the past 12 months designed to elevate the games industry through a combination of technical and business prowess.

Event of the year

This award recognizes the organizations alerting the global community to the ever evolving and rich tapestry of the continent’s game development ecosystem.

Africa Games Week (South Africa)
AfricaComicade (Nigeria)
Arabic Games Conference (Egypt / Remote)
Fak’ugesi Festival (South Africa)
Playtopia (South Africa)

Community of the Year

The backbone of a successful industry, this award recognizes the advocates at the forefront of galvanizing local support for the developers, the creators and the industry be it in person or virtually.

The Tribe (Nigeria)
Africacomicade (Nigeria)
The Gaming Academy (Remote)

Industry Hub of the Year

This award recognizes brick and mortar establishments that have created the best environment, provided essential tools and have an ethos focused on nurturing talent to fulfil their creative ambitions.

Tshimologong – Digital Innovation Precinct (South Africa)
Game Hub Senegal (Senegal)
Nairobi Game Development Centre (Kenya)
CrazyLabs Cape Town (South Africa)

GIAA One to Watch

In recognition of the talents across the continent, this award seeks to recognise those with the promise to make a huge impact either as individuals, a team or with the initiative they are working on. Voting can be done via this link.

Illusion (Egypt)
The Wagadu Chronicles (Ghana / Berlin)
Mini Settlers (Egypt)
Anger Foot (South Africa)
Hot Bunz (South Africa)
Legends of Orisha (Nigeria)
Zombie Within (Tunisia)
Zamakan (Egypt)
Metavoidal (South Africa)
Dungeon Crawler (South Africa)
Deviant X (Nigeria)
Wrestling with Emotions (South Africa)  
Martha’s Dolls (Morocco)
Haventrove (South Africa)
Virago Herstory 2 (Nigeria)
Shadowstalk (Algeria)
Bit ESC (Egypt)
The InBetween (Nigeria)
Poached: Hunt The Hunter (South Africa)

Voting for GIAA one to watch can be done here.

Rising Star Award

This award seeks to recognize the next generation of developers who are making strides to build a last legacy in the games industry through their upcoming projects.

Dooshima Anger
Studio Bolland
Ayo Ayomide
Tiny Baby Crown
SpaceSalad Studios
Inuv8 Studios
Pineapple on Pizza
Kunta Content
TacSou
Function Unknown
Honest Chronicle
Yellow Lab Games
Clockwork Acorn
Mergery Wanjiru

Debut of the Year

The game, initiative, or organisation to make the largest impact over the past 12 months will be the recipient of this award.

Etiopian Fit, Jaktech (Ethiopia)
Aki and Pawpaw (Nigeria)
Nouns Hunt (Nigeria)
Outliver: Tribulations (Nigeria)
Colored Effects (Morocco)
Dungeons & Jewels (Egypt)

Most Impactful Mobile Game

This award aims to recognise a mobile first project that has either through its innovative mechanics, payment method or its financial success got people talking across the length and breath of the continent.

Terra Nil (South Africa)
Shrokey (Ghana)
Puzzle Scout (Ghana)
Tiomi (Kenya)
Fighters Run (Tunisia)

PC Game of the Year

This award aims to recognise a PC first project that has either through its innovative mechanics, payment method or its financial success got people talking across the length and breadth of the continent and beyond.

Stasis Bone Totem (South Africa)
Terra Nil (South Africa)
West Hunt (Tunisia)
Colored Effects (Morocco)
The Moroccan Castle 3 (Morocco)

Team of the Year

This award recognises the achievements of a collective, group or collaborative entity that bandied together to overcome insurmountable odds and create something truly unique.

NewGen Studios (Tunisia)
Free Lives (South Africa)
Leti Arts (Ghana)
Qene Games (Ethiopia)
The Brotherhood (South Africa)
24 Bit Games (South Africa)

Game of the Year

This accolade recognizes the title that has either through unique game play mechanics, the lofty efforts of a unique team or by scaling commercial or/and critical heights has helped elevate the perception of what it means to be an African developed game.

Terra Nil (South Africa)
Stasis: Bone Totem (South Africa)
Puzzle Scout (Ghana)
Fighters Run (Tunisia)

Person(s) of the year

This award recognises an individual with a through a singular vision and drive has achieved significant commercial / critical success, been an unflinching champion or been a catalyst to spur the growth of the African games industry.

Hugo Obi (Nigeria)
Dominique Gawlowski (South Africa)
Eyram Tawia (Ghana)
Seifeddine BenHamouda (Tunisia)
Limpho Moeti (South Africa)
Michel Nkuindja (Cameroon)
Luke Lamothe (South Africa)
Ayman Jbari (Morocco)

Winners will be announced in December 2023.