GamesConnect AFRICA, a Goethe-Institut initiative dedicated to strengthening the African games ecosystem, has announced an open call for applications to the gamescom dev 2026 Scholarship Programme. Developed in collaboration with Gamescom Dev (previously Devcom) and Gamescom, the initiative seeks to support talented individuals from across Africa who face financial, structural or personal barriers to attending major international industry events.

The programme reflects a growing commitment by international stakeholders to increase the visibility and participation of African professionals within the global games industry. The scholarship aims to address this gap by providing selected participants with comprehensive support to attend Gamescom Dev and Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, in August 2026.

Successful applicants will receive complimentary access to gamescom dev, taking place from 24–25 August, as well as gamescom B2B activities running from 26–28 August. Participants will also benefit from curated networking opportunities, dedicated event support and an online onboarding programme designed to help them maximise the experience before arriving in Germany.

In addition, the scholarship includes accommodation, return flight support and participation in a mandatory introduction event in Cologne on 23 August.

The initiative is open to a broad range of stakeholders working within Africa’s games ecosystem, including game developers, event organisers and other industry practitioners. Particular emphasis is being placed on supporting individuals from underrepresented communities whose circumstances may limit access to international opportunities.

Since its launch, the initiative has focused on building a connected pan-African network capable of supporting local talent, helping studios scale and creating opportunities for knowledge sharing both within Africa and internationally.

The gamescom dev Scholarship Programme itself was established to identify and support promising talent from diverse backgrounds around the world. By reducing financial and structural barriers, the programme seeks to ensure that industry events are more representative of the communities creating games globally.

For African developers and industry professionals, participation in gamescom can provide access to publishers, investors, studios, technology partners and fellow creators from around the world. Beyond networking, attendance can also create opportunities for partnerships, career advancement, market exposure and long-term professional development.

Applications for the gamescom dev 2026 Scholarship Programme are now open. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, 25 June 2026.

Interested applicants are encouraged to complete the official application form and submit their applications before the closing date.