Gaming Event Francophone Africa (GEFA) 2026 will take place on 14-15 October 2026 at the King Fahd Palace Hôtel in Dakar, Senegal. The event is dedicated to the gaming and iGaming industry in Francophone Africa and brings together operators, regulators, investors, technology providers, affiliates and other industry stakeholders interested in entering, developing and understanding French-speaking African markets.
In 2026, GEFA will take place alongside the 11th edition of Sports Betting West Africa+ (SBWA+), creating a wider industry gathering focused on gaming and sports betting across West Africa. While SBWA+ runs from 14-16 October, the dedicated GEFA conference stream is scheduled for 15 October, with the joint welcoming event taking place on 14 October.
GEFA 2026: What to Expect
The Gaming Event Francophone Africa is designed to address the specific needs of gaming businesses operating in or exploring French-speaking African markets. The 2026 edition will focus on market entry, localisation, regulatory frameworks, payment innovation, talent development and product strategies adapted to the region's commercial and cultural environment.
The event is relevant for both companies already active in Africa and businesses considering expansion into Francophone markets. The programme brings together local and international experts to discuss the regulatory, technological and commercial factors shaping the region's gaming ecosystem.
Event program
17:30-22:00 - SBWA+ & GEFA Welcoming Evening, with canapés, drinks and networking opportunities.
- 09:30 - Registration and morning refreshments.
- 10:00-17:00 - SBWA+ Conference & Expo, including the dedicated GEFA conference stream.
- 17:15 - Networking drinks.
GEFA 2026 Speakers
The published speaker lineup includes representatives of operators, regulators, payment companies, technology providers, gaming associations and advisory businesses.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Afolabi Sunday - Head of Operations, Herobet
- Alex Williams - Cyber Risk Specialist, National Cybersecurity Centre
- Ariel Amichia - Head of Planning, Foresight, Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Loterie Nationale de Côte d'Ivoire (LONACI)
- Bonny Omara - General Secretary, Uganda Esports and Gaming Federation
- Dr. Kolade Abisoye - Founder, Partnership & Activations Head, iGaming WriteNow
- Edward Oluigbo - Founder and CEO, Predict International Limited
- Julius Fadipe - State Manager, Crystal Gaming Limited (Betano)
- Korobla Dosso - Digital and Customer Experience Manager, LONACI
- Lombo Mphande - Director, Bet Chats
- Loukakou Charly Donna - Co-Founder & CCO, NIIRPAY
- Moustapha Camara - Chairman of the Board of Directors, Senegal National Lottery (LONASE)
- Nonso Ndumanya - Head of Gaming and Emerging Economy, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, Nigeria
- Olaitan Samuel - Business Development Manager, Dalapay | iBetAfrica
- Olajumoke Odudimu - Legal/Company Secretary, Velex Advisory Limited
- Robert Brassai - Principal Consultant, Sense4Gaming
- Rossy Kay-Manzebu - Store Manager, PremierBet Senegal
- Solomon Godwin - Head, Africa, Booming Games.
The speaker lineup reflects the regional focus of the event, with representatives from Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and other African markets, as well as international gaming and technology businesses.
Key Topics at GEFA 2026
GEFA is centred on the practical challenges of developing gaming businesses in Francophone Africa. Among the areas highlighted by the organiser are market entry, localisation, regulation, payments, talent and product development.
Regulation and Market Entry
Regulatory requirements are particularly important for companies entering African gaming markets. GEFA provides a platform for operators, regulators and industry specialists to discuss local frameworks, compliance requirements and the conditions businesses need to consider before launching in individual countries.
The focus on market entry also makes the event relevant to companies comparing different GEOs, assessing audience characteristics and adapting their acquisition strategies to local markets. For a broader explanation of GEO targeting and how geography affects traffic campaigns, see the guide to GEO targeting in traffic arbitrage.
Localisation and Product Strategy
Francophone Africa is not a single uniform market. Differences in language, regulation, consumer behaviour, payments and digital infrastructure can affect how gaming products are positioned and promoted in individual countries.
For operators and suppliers, localisation can therefore involve more than translating a website. It can include adapting the product, payment methods, customer experience, marketing messages and acquisition strategy to the requirements of a particular market.
Payment Infrastructure
Payment infrastructure is another important area for GEFA. Local payment preferences and financial infrastructure can directly influence deposits, withdrawals and the overall user experience. Operators and technology providers therefore need to understand the payment ecosystem of each market rather than relying exclusively on international payment methods.
A useful introduction to the topic is our guide to payment systems in iGaming and betting, which explains the main types of payment solutions used across the industry.
Affiliate Marketing and Traffic Acquisition
Affiliate professionals can also find GEFA relevant, particularly those working with African GEOs or looking to establish relationships with local operators and suppliers. The event provides opportunities to discuss traffic acquisition, partnerships, localisation and market-specific approaches to affiliate marketing.
For affiliate teams, another relevant consideration is the commercial structure of partnerships. Depending on the offer and business model, affiliates may work with CPA, RevShare, hybrid or other payment arrangements. A detailed overview is available in our guide to affiliate marketing payment models.
The wider African market can also be explored through 3S.INFO's iGaming market reviews for Africa, which cover individual GEOs, regulation, traffic patterns and market developments.
Who Attends GEFA?
GEFA is aimed at professionals working across the gaming and iGaming ecosystem, including:
- gaming and sportsbook operators;
- regulators and government-related industry representatives;
- investors;
- technology and software providers;
- payment companies;
- affiliates and marketing professionals;
- consultants and legal specialists;
- suppliers and other B2B gaming companies.
The event's operator and affiliate pass is particularly relevant for licensed African operators and affiliate professionals. The organiser currently offers a limited number of free passes for licensed operators in Africa, subject to availability and approval.
GEFA 2026 Tickets and Registration
Several attendance options are available for GEFA 2026.
The Premium Delegate Pass provides two-day access, including the official welcoming evening, conference and exhibition access, networking activities, the event app, refreshments and lunch. The listed price is €945, with an early-bird price of €845 while early-bird tickets remain available.
The Standard Delegate Pass is listed at €645, with an early-bird price of €545. It includes access to the conference and exhibition, networking activities, refreshments and the event app.
A Free Visitor Pass provides event-floor access and refreshment breaks on 15 October.
The organiser also offers a free Operator/Affiliate Pass for licensed operators in Africa, limited to two passes per operator and subject to availability and approval.
GEFA 2026 Venue
GEFA 2026 will be hosted at King Fahd Palace Hôtel in Dakar, Senegal. The venue is also being used for the co-located SBWA+ event.
Holding the events in Dakar places the conference in a major West African business and gaming market. The location is particularly relevant for companies interested in Senegal and neighbouring Francophone markets.
Sponsors, Exhibitors and Business Networking
GEFA 2026 will include an exhibition and sponsorship opportunities for companies targeting the African gaming market. The published partner and sponsor list includes NovaMotus Consultancy, NascentEdge, Elite Executive, Sonnet Group, SPiCE Insight and EI Networking.
For B2B companies, the exhibition and networking programme provide opportunities to meet potential clients and partners in a more focused regional environment. The organiser specifically positions sponsorship and exhibition participation as a way to establish direct interactions with clients and decision-makers.
About Eventus International
GEFA is organised by Eventus International, an event company specialising in B2B conferences and networking events for the gaming and iGaming industry.
The organiser runs a portfolio of regional events covering Africa, Europe, Asia and other emerging gaming markets. Its African portfolio includes events such as Sports Betting West Africa+, Sports Betting East Africa+ and BiG Africa Summit.
Eventus International positions its events as platforms connecting operators, regulators, investors, suppliers and other senior industry professionals. Its regional approach allows individual conferences to focus on the commercial and regulatory characteristics of specific markets.
History of Gaming Event Francophone Africa
The first Gaming Event Francophone Africa took place in Casablanca, Morocco, on 8-9 March 2023. It was created as a dedicated industry platform for the French-speaking African gaming market and brought together operators, suppliers, investors and other gaming professionals.
The inaugural edition addressed market entry strategies, regulation, local market development, technology, online and mobile sports betting, payments and future trends in Francophone Africa. Reports from the event also highlighted discussions around responsible gaming, localisation, risk management and partnerships.
The 2023 edition was held at the Casablanca Marriott Hotel and was presented by the organiser as a new platform for connecting local and international companies interested in Francophone Africa. Contemporary event coverage reported participation from gaming providers, operators and entrepreneurs from African and international markets.
GEFA 2024 in Accra
A second edition of GEFA was announced for 23-24 April 2024 in Accra, Ghana. Eventus International promoted the event as a platform connecting companies with the French-speaking African gaming market, despite Ghana itself not being a Francophone country. Contemporary announcements described the event as the second annual edition.
However, the current Eventus International website identifies GEFA 2026 as the 2nd Annual edition. Because of this discrepancy in the historical record, the 2024 Accra event should be treated cautiously in an event timeline rather than presented as an unquestionably completed edition.
GEFA 2026 is therefore presented by the current organiser as the 2nd Annual Gaming Event Francophone Africa, returning to the Francophone African market with a new edition in Dakar.
Why GEFA Matters for the Francophone African Gaming Market
The main focus of GEFA is the part of the African gaming industry that is often less represented at international iGaming events: French-speaking markets.
For operators, suppliers and affiliates, the value of a regional event lies in the opportunity to examine individual markets through local regulatory, commercial and technological perspectives. Discussions around market entry, localisation, payments and partnerships can help businesses better understand the practical differences between African GEOs.
Côte d'Ivoire, for example, has its own regulatory framework, state lottery and developing digital gaming ecosystem. Our Ivory Coast iGaming market overview provides a more detailed look at the country's regulation, operators, payments and opportunities for affiliates and other iGaming businesses.
For professionals evaluating several African markets, it is also useful to compare individual GEOs rather than treating Francophone Africa as one homogeneous market.
