AGE 2026 Breaks New Ground with AfriPitch, Game-Changing Digital Experience

As the Africa Gaming Expo (AGE) prepares for its 2026 edition, Chief Executive Officer Charles Ekundayo told Nseobong Okon-Ekong that the event is entering a bold new era—one defined by digital innovation, startup empowerment, and measurable growth that reflects Africa’s expanding gaming ecosystem

The countdown to AGE2026 is more than just another date on the industry calendar. For Mr Charles Ekundayo, Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Gaming Expo, this year’s gathering represents a decisive evolution in both ambition and execution.

“What excites me most about AGE2026 is the launch of two major firsts for the expo: AfriPitch and, most especially, the AGE App,” Ekundayo says with unmistakable enthusiasm.

Those two innovations—one digital, the other entrepreneurial—are set to redefine how participants experience the expo and how African innovators access opportunity.

Fully connected expo experience

At the centre of this transformation is the AGE App, which Ekundayo describes as nothing short of revolutionary.

“The AGE App is a game-changer for how people will experience the event,” he explains. “For the first time, attendees won’t just ‘attend’ AGE—they’ll actively engage through the app.”

According to him, the app moves the expo from a largely physical experience to a fully integrated digital ecosystem.

“From personalised schedules, live updates, and session reminders to networking, exhibitor discovery, and real-time engagement, the app transforms AGE into a fully connected digital experience before, during, and after the expo,” Ekundayo explains.

In practical terms, this means delegates can curate their own agendas, connect directly with exhibitors, receive instant updates, and sustain conversations long after the exhibition halls close. The platform is also expected to enhance deal-making by making it easier to identify partners and initiate conversations.

Ekundayo is clear that this innovation is not about novelty for its own sake.

“It’s about deepening engagement,” he says. “We want people to derive measurable value from every hour they spend at AGE.”

AfriPitch: Empowering African innovators

If the AGE App is about enhancing experience, AfriPitch is about unlocking opportunity.

“Alongside this, the debut of AfriPitch is deeply exciting because it reflects our stand for education, empowerment, and opportunity,” Ekundayo notes.

AfriPitch is designed as a high-visibility competition platform for African game developers, digital entertainment innovators, betting startups, and fintech entrepreneurs. AGE2026 has invited submissions of “innovative ideas and projects in gaming, digital entertainment, betting, or fintech,” offering finalists direct access to investors and regulators.

“(Through the AGE2026 AfriPitch competition), we will showcase African game developers and startups,” Ekundayo says. “The AGE2026 platform will be made available to the top three finalists to pitch to potential investors and judges, competing for the AGE 2026 AfriPitch Innovator Award.”

The implications extend beyond recognition.

“This is about unlocking exposure, possibly attracting funding, and partnerships into the future,” he adds.

In an industry where access to capital and networks often determines survival, AfriPitch could become a critical bridge between raw innovation and commercial success. By placing startups directly in front of investors and policymakers, AGE is positioning itself as a catalyst for Africa’s digital gaming economy.

“We are creating a platform where African innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs can pitch directly to investors, regulators, and thousands of industry leaders,” Ekundayo points out. “That visibility can change trajectories.”

Targeting strategic growth

AGE2026 is not only innovating—it is scaling. Compared to previous editions, Ekundayo outlines ambitious yet calculated growth projections.

“Compared to previous editions, AGE2026 projections target building on the momentum from the inaugural edition and the 2025 successes,” he explains. “We are aiming for between 30% and 40% growth in attendance—that will be around 10,000 visitors.”

Exhibitor participation is also expected to expand significantly.

“We aim to expand exhibitor footprints to around 250 to 270 exhibitors,” he says.

But for Ekundayo, the figures tell only part of the story.

“These aren’t just numbers,” he insists. “It is about doubling deal-making opportunities and inherent cross-border partnerships.”

In other words, growth is being measured not only in footfall but in economic impact. More exhibitors mean more product showcases, more service integrations, and more partnership possibilities. Increased attendance widens the networking pool, amplifying cross-border collaboration in a sector that is increasingly continental in scope.

Curating leadership and relevance

A defining feature of AGE has been the calibre of its speakers and panellists. For 2026, Ekundayo says the selection process remains deliberate and strategic.

“We prioritise speakers and panellists with proven leadership and demonstrated expertise in gaming, fintech, regulation, esports, or innovation,” he explains. “Direct relevance to African market dynamics and relevance to the theme of the conference is critical.”

In an industry shaped by regulatory evolution, technological disruption, and shifting consumer behaviours, credible voices matter.

“AGE2026 speakers and panellists are individuals with track records of driving policy, investments or breakthroughs,” he says.

Diversity is another priority.

Ekundayo reveals that “the diverse representation across Africa and globally will spark inclusive, actionable dialogue that will deliver real value to attendees”.

This blend of regional insight and global perspective ensures that discussions move beyond theory into practical application—an approach that resonates strongly with operators, regulators, developers, and investors alike.

Building more than an expo

Listening to Ekundayo, it becomes clear that AGE2026 is positioned as more than an annual gathering. It is evolving into a strategic ecosystem for Africa’s gaming and digital entertainment sectors.

From the technological integration of the AGE App to the empowerment-driven AfriPitch initiative, the expo is reinforcing its role as both marketplace and incubator.

“What excites me most,” Ekundayo reiterates, “is that we are not just growing in size—we are growing in impact.”

As Africa’s gaming, betting, fintech, and digital entertainment sectors continue to expand, AGE2026 appears determined to lead from the front—connecting innovators with investors, ideas with execution, and conversations with tangible outcomes.

If Ekundayo’s projections hold true, the 2026 edition will not merely reflect the continent’s gaming momentum; it will help define its next chapter.