Women demand more inclusive gaming policies

Women professionals in Africa’s gaming industry have called for more policies that promote female inclusion in leadership and player engagement.

Speaking at the Africa Gaming Expo 2025 during a panel session titled ‘Rise of Women in Gaming: The Impact on Leadership and Player Growth in the African Market’, held in Lagos from February 25 to 27, key industry leaders emphasised the need for greater female representation at executive levels.

Regional Manager, Africa, Business Development and Regulatory at Mechezo Limited, Olabimpe Akingba, highlighted the limited presence of women in executive roles, despite their significant contributions to the industry.

“What you see around here in Nigeria and West Africa is that there is participation of women in the industry, but mostly at lower levels,” Akingba said. “We need more women at the executive and decision-making levels. Several companies are missing out on the perspectives women bring on board.

“Women are more empathetic and therefore are more able to write more inclusive policies that are just not profit-driven, that can look more holistically at things, where every stakeholder of the company is benefiting, the customers and the employees.”

She commended the Managing Director of Betwinner Nigeria, Maha Otu, for breaking barriers and stressed that women’s involvement in leadership results in more holistic policies that benefit both employees and customers.

Another panellist, the Managing Partner at WYS Solicitors and co-founder of SLEC Africa, Olafadeke Akeju, echoed this sentiment, noting that while women have long been part of the gaming industry, their presence in policymaking remains inadequate.

“In terms of operators, we do have women in senior executive positions. However, when you look at boardroom positions and investors in the industry, there is still room for improvement,” Akeju said. “For the younger women, it’s not a fair representation.”

Akeju observed the need to support the gaming industry with women’s gaming development, noting, “There’s still room for improvement, especially at the top level, which is the management or senior level.”

Betwinner Nigeria’s MD Otu challenged stereotypes that have sidelined women in key decision-making roles, lamenting “For so long, women have been excluded with the stereotype that they are too emotional to make certain decisions. But having women on the board gives a 360-degree view when making decisions.”

The panellists addressed cultural perceptions that have affected women’s participation in the industry.

For Akeju, women have a history of strong business leadership. She explained, “From a cultural perspective, women have always been strong leaders in West Africa. The gaming industry is simply reflecting that. The industry’s reputation and a lack of awareness about its potential have discouraged more women from joining.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Legal, Gaming Commission of Ghana, Gifty-Rita Amoah, pointed out that traditional views still present challenges, stating, “From a cultural point of view, gaming is often seen as a vice rather than an industry where you can build a career or business. Many ask, ‘What are you doing as a woman in the industry?’ But the opportunities are vast,” she stated.

On attracting more female players, Otu emphasised the need for better research, remarking, “We need to invest more in researching female players and understanding their preferences. Right now, research is based on male players, and that’s where marketing efforts are focused. There’s a stigma, and many women shy away from admitting they play.”

She urged the industry to host more women’s gaming conferences to reach this audience and shape effective marketing strategies, noting, “We need to start more women’s conferences so that we can target that audience to get them on the platform. We need to understand the dynamics of female players to properly execute our marketing strategy for this target audience. For now, we are just doing trial and error.”

Further, Mchezo Limited’s Regional Manager Africa, Akingba, called for workplace policies that allow women to thrive without having to conform to male-centric norms.

“Companies need policies that allow women to bring their whole selves to work. Women shouldn’t have to act like men to fit in. If we all ignore family responsibilities in pursuit of career success, the workforce will suffer,” Akingba submitted, referencing Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie.

She also stressed the importance of upskilling: “Women should be better prepared to take on bigger roles. Everyone must take personal responsibility for growth.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the gaming industry’s economic potential, commenting, “We recognised early that lottery gaming is a sector that needed depth and growth. As a government, we are focused on creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.”

Sanwo-Olu noted that the industry is providing employment and fostering innovation, with technology and fintech playing a significant role. He assured stakeholders of government support while ensuring responsible regulation.

“The number of jobs and wealth created is enormous. The government will not stifle growth but will ensure responsible gaming through proper regulation,” the governor declared.