Apple has spotlighted the work of Nigeria-based game studio Maliyo Games to commemorate Africa Day, reflecting a rising, marking a growing global recognition of Africa’s video game industry, which surpassed $1 billion in revenue in 2024.
To celebrate Africa Day on May 25, Apple showcased three mobile titles developed by Maliyo Games, Crazy Ludo, Safari City, and Whot King. Each game was updated with Africa Day themes and is now available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The updates were made by cooperate effort of local developers trained through Maliyo’s GameUp Africa initiative, which prepares young African talent with the skills to produce culturally relevant digital content.
"This recognition from Apple is a huge moment for us and for African game development as a whole," said Hugo Obi, founder of Maliyo Games. “It validates the years of hard work by our amazing team across the continent.
We’re delight and honored to tell African stories through our games, built by African developers, for a global audience.”
The visibility of African video games is increasing alongside youth interest and increasing mobile connectivity.
Following the information from 2025 Africa Games Industry Report, the industry generated more than $1 billion in revenue in 2024, emphasizing its rising impact on the creative economy. Maliyo’s emergence isn't just a business milestone, it also reflects a cultural shift. "The future of gaming is diverse, inclusive, and global, and Africa is a big part of that story,”Obi added.
Maliyo Games was founded in 2012 and it's known for its focus on African culture and storytelling. Apple’s support may help elevate Africa’s game development sector further into the global mainstream.