Africa Gaming Expansion: Sunbet Strengthens Presence in Namibia; BetPawa Expands to Mali

(AsiaGameHub) –   The African gaming industry has experienced a busy week. The continent has garnered significant attention from international companies, with prominent names like Super Group, Kaizen Gaming, and Virgin Bet targeting markets there, while local firms are also pursuing new ventures.

As the “gold rushes” in the US and Latin America begin to stabilize, and Europe presents new regulatory and taxation hurdles, it’s not surprising that many global companies are actively exploring opportunities in Africa.

H2 Gambling Capital forecasts that the online betting and iGaming market could reach up to $22 billion (£18 billion) by 2029. With this projection in mind, established African brands Sunbet and BetPawa are working to solidify their presence on their home continent.

Sunbet expands into Namibia, its third market

Sunbet, the online sports betting division of South African gaming and hotels conglomerate Sun International, has been planning international expansion for some time.

The company launched in Botswana in 2024, having already established itself as a leading online bookmaker in South Africa, successfully competing with local rivals like HollywoodBets and Sportingbet, as well as major international players such as Betfred and Betway.

This week, the company debuted in Namibia, South Africa’s neighbor, with support from Bede Gaming, a UK gaming tech firm and long-standing partner that has collaborated with Sunbet in both South Africa and Botswana.

Simon Gregory, Sunbet’s Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Sun International is a well-respected and trusted brand in Africa, so Sunbet’s intention was always to leverage this goodwill by expanding into other African markets.

“We experienced significant success after our debut in Botswana, so rolling out Sunbet to the Namibian market was the natural next step for us, especially given that Namibia is one of South Africa’s strongest trading partners.”

Sunbet anticipates that Namibia – an expanding economy projected by the World Bank to grow by 2.8% in 2025, albeit a decrease from 3.7% the previous year – will further complement its standing in Botswana and South Africa, especially after Sun International generated R874 million (£36.8 million) in revenue during the first half of 2025 alone.

Continued growth will be welcome news for Ulrik Bengtsson, who assumed the role of Sun International CEO last year. The Swedish businessman brings experience from other major gambling stakeholders, notably William Hill and Raketech, to his position at the South African giant.

Singer’s brand betPawa pursues growth

Increasing rates of mobile phone usage, internet access, and greater economic freedom and spending power across Africa have made gaming on the continent a much more lucrative industry than in previous decades.

This trend has naturally led to local entrepreneurs and businesspeople becoming involved. One of the more notable new names to enter the industry is Nigeria’s Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade – better known as singer and record executive Mr Eazi.

Mr Eazi chairs Choplife Gaming, a Rwanda-headquartered business that operates two brands: BetPawa and ChopWin.

This week, BetPawa expanded into Mali, making it its 10th market, having already established itself in Benin, Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, as reported by Business Insider Africa.

Choplife Gaming’s website also indicates a pending launch in Liberia, though its list of active markets is two shorter than that reported by Business Insider Africa.

Meanwhile, ChopWin is active in Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, with a launch in Namibia pending according to the Choplife website.

“We are pleased to be going live with betPawa in Mali,” a Choplife Gaming statement read on LinkedIn. “The launch marks a significant milestone in our continued expansion across Africa and further strengthening our footprint in regulated African gaming markets.

“Through this launch, Malian customers will gain access to betPawa’s mobile-first betting and gaming platform, designed specifically for African users with lightweight technology, localized payment solutions, and simplified user experiences.”

South Africa combats the black market… and its customers

Operating in Africa, like any continent or local market, involves numerous considerations. Technological aspects are quite important, such as the crucial role of local telecommunications companies and payment providers.

Regulatory changes are frequent, as are taxation adjustments. In addition to all this, there is the aspect of social responsibility.

While many African economies are experiencing growth, hardship remains common – despite some good progress over the past three decades, approximately 37% of South Africans live below the country’s Lower-Bound Poverty Line (LBPL), and concerns have been raised about the growth of the gaming industry there.

And finally, as with any emerging or developing market, illegal gambling activities persist. South African stakeholders have informed SBC News about the extent of this issue in their domestic market.

This week, the National Gambling Board (NGB) revealed that it has seized approximately R2.3 million (£105,500) in illegal gambling winnings during the 2026/27 financial year, to date.

This represents a substantial increase from the R775,000 in winnings forfeited to the state during the 2024/25 financial year.

The NGB is authorized to order gamblers to forfeit winnings derived from unlicensed online gambling activity under the National Gambling Act of 2004.

Acting CEO of the NGB, Lungile Dukwana, stated: “The forfeiture of proceeds derived from unlawful gambling activities demonstrates the NGB’s continued commitment to enforcing the NGA and supporting lawful and accountable gambling practices in South Africa.

“These enforcement measures serve to protect the public and reinforce the consequences associated with unlawful gambling activities.

“This outcome further underscores the importance of a coordinated regulatory and judicial approach in protecting the public and maintaining the credibility of South Africa’s gambling industry.

“We remain committed to ensuring that all gambling activities take place within a legal, regulated, and accountable environment.”

Despite its challenges against the black market, South Africa remains one of the most lucrative and attractive markets for companies interested in African opportunities. Neal Menashe, Super Group CEO, elaborated on this point during an earlier appearance on SBC’s iGaming Daily podcast.