The newly formed African iGaming Alliance (AIA) has pledged to tackle regulatory fragmentation, high banking fees, and the lack of cross-border collaboration that continue to slow the growth of Africa’s online gambling sector.
The group, spearheaded by former Botswana Gambling Authority CEO Peter Kesitilwe, was launched by four major operators—Betway, BetPawa, 888Africa, and Sportybet—and is already seeking to expand its membership base. Its mission: build a cooperative framework to strengthen responsible gambling, harmonize taxes, and reduce reliance on ad-hoc regulation, all while uniting the diverse gaming landscapes across Africa.
“We are not competitors; the intention is to collaborate, complement and work together as a pan-African trade alliance,” Kesitilwe said. “Let’s harmonize issues of taxes and responsible gambling, and let’s speak with one voice as representatives of Africa.”
Standardising a Fragmented Market
Africa’s gaming industry has grown rapidly with rising smartphone use and better internet connectivity. But Kesitilwe warned that regulatory inconsistency is one of its biggest bottlenecks in various African countries.
“An operator applying for a license in Nigeria faces a very different process from Ghana,” he noted, urging governments to work through platforms such as the Gambling Regulator Africa Forum (GRAF) to align licensing standards and improve cross-border oversight.
He argued that standardization would help distinguish legal operators from the black market, which he estimates makes up two-thirds of the industry and costs governments between $2–5 billion annually in lost tax revenue across Africa.
Responsible Gambling as a Priority
The AIA also aims to proactively address problem gambling, framing it as a sector-wide issue within Africa. Kesitilwe warned that unchecked problem gambling risks prompting governments to respond with higher taxes and restrictive measures.
“At the forefront of what the alliance intends to do is to promote responsible gambling frameworks across Africa,” he said. “This is quite important, because governments would rather increase taxes if we have more problem gamblers.”
Tackling Banking and Payment Challenges
High transaction costs remain another obstacle in Africa. Payment aggregators often hold monopolistic power, driving up fees across regions. Some operators, including Betway parent Super Group, are exploring cryptocurrency payments as a workaround.
Kesitilwe confirmed that the AIA intends to open dialogue on the issue: “There are inconsistencies, and in some regions it is very expensive due to monopolies around payment aggregators. Through research and engagement, we want to address these barriers prevalent in Africa.”
Regulatory Know-How at the Helm
Kesitilwe brings over nine years of experience at the Botswana Gambling Authority, including almost two years as CEO. He believes this background strengthens the AIA’s ability to act as a credible intermediary between operators and regulators across Africa.
“I bring firsthand regulatory insight into how governments view compliance, AML/CFT, and responsible gambling,” he said. “My experience in legislation and modernizing frameworks positions me to bridge the gap between the industry and regulators throughout Africa.”
The AIA’s early efforts suggest it will focus on harmonization, responsible gambling, and financial accessibility as key levers to unlock Africa’s iGaming potential.
