Maliyo Games’ recently cemented partnership with Arizona State University’s Endless Games and Learning Lab is redefining how young Africans can learn, build skills, and earn in the digital economy.

Endless Games and Learning Lab has existed for 20 months at Arizona University, the largest Public University in the United States. At the heart of this initiative is a bold idea: gaming is not just entertainment, it is a gateway to education, innovation, and economic empowerment.

In this exclusive interview with Techeconomy’s OLUWATOSIN ALOBA at the MADHouse, the incubator centre for creatives, situated at the Lagoon front of the University of Lagos, Hugo Obi, founder of Maliyo Games, speaks on the partnership with Arizona State University, through its Endless Games and Learning Lab, to accelerate workforce development in artificial intelligence (AI) and game development across the continent:

Te: This partnership with Arizona State University marks a significant milestone. How does it align with Maliyo’s long-term vision for Africa’s gaming ecosystem?

Hugo Obi: For me, it’s about accelerating talent development. We’ve already been building talent, but now we can truly scale. What’s also important is the skills mapping we’re introducing; it brings more structure and science into how people develop.

This programme isn’t just for university students. It’s for people already working, entrepreneurs, job seekers, and even those who have never attended university. Because it’s virtual, people can participate from anywhere.

Talent Development & Industry Readiness

Te: Nigeria has a young, digitally savvy population. What specific skills gaps have you identified in the local gaming and interactive media space?

Hugo Obi: People have been playing games for years. The real gap is shifting them from consumers to creators. If we want people to create, we must give them the skills. That’s how we build exports and even soft power.

Te: How will this partnership help transition Nigerian talent from learning to studio-ready production environments? How will this partnership ensure real industry readiness?

Hugo Obi: We’ve been running this system for five years, and it already works. This partnership is about accelerating what is already proven. Some of the people trained through our programme now work with us, and many are thriving elsewhere. That’s how we know the model delivers.

From Learning to Real Impact

Te: Many programmes train people, but do they actually apply the skills?

Hugo Obi: That’s a valid concern. But we’ve already seen the results. We’ve built a system where people go through the process and come out with real, usable skills. The partnership isn’t introducing something new; it’s helping us scale from thousands to potentially tens of thousands.

Economic & Industry Impact

Te: What role does gaming play in Nigeria’s economy?

Hugo Obi: Gaming can drive job creation, digital exports, and youth empowerment. It’s a major opportunity for economic diversification.

Future Outlook

Te: What kind of projects or real-world outputs should participants expect. And should we expect more partnerships?

Today, we all know games like Candy Crush, tomorrow, the world could be playing games built in Africa. And, yes, more partnerships are coming, including with industry and government. This is just the beginning.

The initiative, unveiled following a high-level engagement in Lagos, establishes a structured framework for micro-credentialing, externships, and experiential learning, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world production in the fast-growing interactive media industry.

Building Africa’s Next Generation of Digital Creators

At the heart of the partnership is a shared ambition to equip African youth with globally competitive, industry-ready skills, leveraging Maliyo Games’ deep understanding of local content ecosystems and Arizona State University’s leadership in digital learning innovation.

“This marks a new phase in game development, and we are genuinely excited to be building it with Maliyo Games and the GameUp Africa community,” said Mark Olilla, founding director of the Endless Games and Learning Lab at Arizona State University.

“The talent we encountered here, the drive and creativity of these developers, confirmed everything we hoped this partnership could deliver. We are looking forward to what comes next.”

Micro-Credentials Driving Real-World Impact

The programme introduces a flexible, stackable micro-credential system, enabling participants to earn globally recognized certifications from Arizona State University while gaining hands-on experience in game development and AI.

Since its rollout in early 2026, the initiative has already delivered over 150 micro-credentials to the first cohort of graduates under Maliyo’s GameUp Africa programme, signaling early traction and scalability.

For participants, the experience goes beyond certification.

“I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with three different teams made up of talented developers, artists, and audio engineers from across Africa,” said Ibrahim Karl.

“Together, we worked on live service features and published games, which was incredibly rewarding. I’m proud to have earned a micro-credential and certification from Arizona State University.”

Scaling Talent Development Across Africa

With Africa’s gaming industry projected to exceed $5 billion by 2030, the demand for AI-literate, studio-ready talent continues to rise sharply.

Both institutions have set an ambitious target to train and certify 10,000 learners across Africa over the coming years, positioning the continent as a key player in the global gaming and digital content economy.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to building and nurturing talent within Africa’s growing gaming ecosystem,” said Hugo Obi, CEO of Maliyo Games.

“By combining structured learning, community, and access to tools, we are creating opportunities for young people to thrive in game development and beyond.”

Bridging Education, Industry, and Innovation

Beyond skills development, the collaboration represents a broader shift in how education and industry intersect in emerging markets.

By integrating externships, studio-based projects, and global certification frameworks, the initiative ensures that learning outcomes are directly aligned with market needs, closing long-standing gaps between training and employability.

The programme also strengthens U.S.–Nigeria educational exchange, reinforcing cross-border collaboration in high-growth digital sectors while positioning micro-credentials as a scalable alternative to traditional degree pathways.

Driving Economic Growth Through Creative Technology

Stakeholders say the partnership underscores the growing importance of gaming and interactive media as drivers of economic diversification, job creation, and digital exports in Africa.

With Nigeria’s large youth population and expanding digital economy, initiatives like this are expected to build local talent pipelines, enable global workforce participation, foster entrepreneurship and innovation, and strengthen Africa’s position in the global creative economy.

A Strategic Bridge Between Continents

Industry observers describe the Maliyo–ASU collaboration as more than an academic alliance—it is a strategic bridge between continents, industries, and talent ecosystems, with implications for education, technology, and economic diplomacy.

As digital creativity becomes a central pillar of global growth, the partnership positions both Nigeria and the United States at the forefront of future-focused workforce development and innovation.

As part of Apple’s annual editorial celebrating African innovation across apps, games, music, and film, Maliyo’s Crazy Ludo, Safari City, and Whot King were handpicked and showcased with exclusive, Africa Day-themed updates — all crafted by local talent trained through Maliyo’s flagship GameUp Africa initiative.

The Africa Day editions of Crazy Ludo, Safari City, and Whot King are available from May 21, 2025 on the App Store and Google Play.

“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. He enthused: “It validates the years of hard work by our amazing team across the continent. We’re proud to tell African stories through our games, built by African developers, for a global audience.”

Obi stated that each of the spotlighted titles brings African themes, artistry, and storytelling to life, noting: “Crazy Ludo reimagines the timeless board game with African power-ups, dynamic daily missions, and exclusive Africa Day tournaments. The latest update features in-game art inspired by traditional African design motifs.

“Safari City combines match-3 puzzle gameplay with city-building, allowing players to construct African homes and neighborhoods. The update introduces new character stories like Mama Gold, refreshed interfaces, and architecture inspired by real-world African landmarks.

“Whot King, Maliyo’s digital version of the beloved Nigerian card game, now features a new Africa Day Challenge — a multi-city tournament where players face off with heritage-inspired card decks across iconic African locations.’’

Obi added further that Maliyo Games founded in Lagos in 2012, has become a cultural ambassador through gaming, and expressed delight that its selection for this year’s Africa Day App Store celebration places a spotlight on Africa’s mobile-first gaming future and the creative power of African talent.

“At the heart of this growth is GameUp Africa, Maliyo’s developer training program launched in 2021. With over 6,000 applicants to date, the initiative has become a pipeline for nurturing young African developers — many of whom worked on the featured games and Maliyo’s collaboration with Disney on Iwájú: Rising Chef,’’ he said.

Obi concluded by stating that Maliyo’s inclusion in Apple’s Africa Day feature follows a broader trend of rising interest in African gaming.

According to him, a recent KPMG report revealed that the continent’s gaming industry generated over $1 billion in revenue last year, cementing its place within Africa’s creative economy.

“The future of gaming is diverse, inclusive, and global — and Africa is a big part of that story,” Obi added. “We’re building games that reflect our culture, our stories, and our people. This is just the beginning.”

This comprehensive report offers a deep dive into the continent’s rapidly expanding role in the global gaming landscape, providing essential insights for developers, investors, policymakers, and enthusiasts.

Africa’s Gaming Scene Explodes

With revenues projected to surpass $1 billion in 2024, the African games industry is a force to be reckoned with.

Mobile gaming dominates the market, fueled by affordable smartphones and increasing internet access.

Innovative studios like Maliyo Games (Nigeria), Leti Arts (Ghana), and Kiro’o Games (Cameroon) are captivating players with culturally rich narratives and cutting-edge gameplay.

“The African games industry is breaking barriers,” says Hugo Obi, founder & CEO of Maliyo Games. “This report celebrates that resilience and creativity.”

Key Findings

• Mobile Dominance: Mobile gaming commands over 90% of the market. Nigeria alone saw explosive revenue growth, increasing by 454% from 2019 to
• Inspiring Successes: Maliyo Games partnered with Disney to create “Iwájú: Rising Chef.” Kiro’o Games became the first Black African studio to release a title on Xbox. Leti Arts continues to impress with “Sweave,” a celebration of African
• Emerging Opportunities: Esports, augmented reality, and educational games are gaining momentum, fueled by events like Africa Games Week and Lagos Games

Data-Driven Empowerment

This report provides detailed analyses of revenue trends, consumer preferences, and regional insights, empowering stakeholders with the data needed to drive investment and informed decision-making.

“The Africa Games Industry Report is a “must-read,” offering a blend of quantitative and qualitative analyses essential for understanding Africa’s gaming market. Packed with surveys, news, and insights, it’s an invaluable resource,” says Sho Sato, founder of Indie Game Incubator.

A Vision for the Future

“This report is a blueprint for the future, inspiring collaboration and growth,” says Hugo Obi.

Industry analyst Kristian Roberts adds, “Africa’s gaming industry is at a pivotal moment. This report is a must-read for anyone invested in its success.”

“The Africa Games Industry Report serves as a pivotal resource for the global gaming community, providing critical insights into the rapidly growing African gaming ecosystem. By highlighting key trends, challenges, and opportunities, the report enables international stakeholders to better understand the unique dynamics of this emerging market and fosters collaboration, innovation, and investment across borders.” Alexandra Pattison of Africa Games Week highlights the report’s role in shaping the future of this dynamic industry.

Get Involved

• Invest: Support African studios through funding and
• Collaborate: Participate in talent programs like GameUp
• Engage: Attend regional conferences and connect with the continent’s vibrant