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 year of ups and downs 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!

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.

African Unreal Developer Festival
MENA Hero Project
African Pavilion at Gamescom
First South African Mobile Game for Mental Health
Microsoft x Morrocco
Enechawet with Liku to combat soil loss

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.

Joburg Games Festival (South Africa)
Lagos Games Week (Nigeria)
AfricaComicade (Nigeria)
Africa Games Week (South Africa)
Fak’ugesi Festival (South Africa)
Playtopia (South Africa)
Unreal Developer Festival (Multi)
Morocco Gaming Expo (Morocco)

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.

Kingdoms Era (Tunisia)
Elites of Mboa (Cameroon)
Kalanoro (Madagascar)
Metavoidal (South Africa)
Animal Use Protocol (South Africa)
Hollow Floor (Egypt)
Last Loremaster (Egypt)
Staring Time (South Africa)
Pieter Both Village (Mauritius)
Bit Esc (Egypt)
HIRU (Kenya)
Kitchen Wars (Tunisia)
The Mara Witch (Nigeria)
Creature Battle Simulator (South Africa)
Separated (Egypt)
Creature Evolution Simulator (South Africa)
Agri-Tycoon (South Africa)
Colors:Zero (Madagascar)
Deviant X (Nigeria)
Shadowstalk (Algeria)
The InBetween (Nigeria)

Voting for GIAA one to watch can be done here.

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.

Bokkie (Morrocco)
Nairobbery (Kenya)
Electric Blue: Gecko Dash (Kenya / Senegal)
O Holy Knight (South Africa)
Never Going Home (South Africa)
Avoid (South Africa)
Hangar 8 (South Africa)

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 breadth of the continent.

Nairobbery (Kenya)
Electric Blue: Gecko Dash (Kenya / Senegal)
Liku (Ethiopia)
Fighters Run (Tunisia)
Mancala Adventures (Ethiopia / South Africa)
Disney Iwaju: Rising Chef (Nigeria)

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.

Anger Foot (South Africa)
Bokkie (Morrocco)
Tales of Kenzera: Zau (Multi)
Kitiplant (Morocco)
O Holy Knight (South Africa)

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)
AfricaComicade (Nigeria)
Qene Games (Ethiopia)
StarSystemStudios (South Africa)
Kayfo / Usiku (Senegal / Kenya)

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.

Anger Foot (South Africa)
Tales of Kenzera: Zau (Multi)
Puzzle Scout (Ghana)
Fighters Run (Tunisia)
Electric Blue: Gecko Dash (Kenya / Senegal)

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.

Michael Oscar Esio (Nigeria)
Dominique Gawlowski (South Africa)
Seifeddine BenHamouda (Tunisia)
Ayman Jbari (Morocco)
Jay StarSystem (South Africa)
Jay Shapiro (Kenya)
Nick Hall (South Africa)

Winners will be announced in December 2024.