Kenyan outfits, Jiwe IO and Blackhards have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will open new doors for African indie games, combining Jiwe IO’s community-driven platform with Blackhards’ creative studio expertise.

This partnership brings together Jiwe IO’s community-driven platform and Blackhards’ creative studio expertise, uniting around one shared mission — creating spaces where African stories, creativity, and innovation in gaming can thrive.

For Blackhards, the partnership means that their games will now find a home on Jiwe IO, opening doors to greater visibility and community support. With access to crowdfunding tools, playtesting communities, and promotional features like page highlights and newsletters, Blackhards will be able to connect with players in new ways and sustain their projects with stronger foundations.

For Jiwe IO, the collaboration strengthens the ecosystem we are building by welcoming Blackhards’ developer and player communities into the fold. It creates fresh opportunities for cross-promotion, knowledge-sharing, and joint events. Blackhards will also be a key part of our events, talks, and creator spotlights, ensuring their unique voice and vision continue to inspire and shape the broader African gaming conversation.

The MoU sets out a framework for collaboration that goes beyond simple hosting or promotion. Together, we will build structured playtesting opportunities with feedback loops that help developers refine their games, open sustainable crowdfunding pathways for ambitious projects, and provide joint publishing support to make sure great ideas find their audience. Most importantly, it sets the stage for deeper community connection, where players and creators can grow side by side.