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.

Industry Initiative of the Year

The recipients of this award are at the forefront of helping shift the perception of gaming across the continent positively. The first to an international audience and the other by helping influence a government to take active strides in the growth of the industry. The recipients are:

Event of the Year

A peerless event that continues to go from strength to strength whilst being a snapshot of the industry across the continent locally and international. The winner is:

Africa Games Week

GIAA One to Watch

Staring Time – FATAL1N3 (South Africa)

Debut of the Year

Finding and building a community within a niche requires an unrelenting drive and communication with said community whilst honing one’s creative craft. This winner achived this with aplomb and more.

Bokkie (Morrocco)

Most Impactful Mobile Game

This award recognizes the value of collaboration and a shared vision and message. A fact highlighted by its showcase on a global stage.

Electric Blue: Gecko Dash (Kenya / Senegal / Multi)

PC Game of the Year

On a hugely competitive platform such as the PC, standing out and garnering critical and commercial success is a rare feat. This game achieved both an continues to showcase the eclectic prowess of this team.

Anger Foot – Free Lives (South Africa)

Teams of the Year

Passion, persistence and know-how are essential characteristics of the modern game developer. Couple that with Quality and Quantity are the traits that best describe the recipients of this award.

Game of the Year

This game is a marriage of great game design, music and a fluid control scheme that amplifies the player experience. This is not about the lowest common denominator. This is the lowest common denominator at its finest.

Anger Foot

Persons of the Year

The persons of the year exemplify a persistent and unrelenting spirit to grow, to educate, to create and to share their stories. Whilst at opposite ends of the scale, their desire remains unblemished.

  • Michael Oscar Esio (Nigeria)
  • Dominique Gawlowski (South Africa)
  • Jay Brad Spann (South Africa)

See previous years winners