Is Uganda the Next Big Market for Online Entertainment in Africa?

Internet uptake in Uganda has been slow, and the east African country only just creeps into the top ten for users across the continent. However, internet usage figures are rising rapidly and now it is estimated that one in two people in Uganda has access to the online world.

This makes it a vibrant market for investment, and online entertainment companies are likely to spread rapidly over the next few years.

Nearly Half the Population Owns a Smartphone

It was recently reported that telephone penetration has reached 69 per cent in Uganda, with subscriptions up to 29 million in the third quarter of 2021. Thanks to most modern devices being internet ready, this means that internet. Indeed, there are around 22 million internet subscriptions out of the countryʼs population of 45.74 million.

The sudden spike in smartphone users is related to the cheaper entry-level prices available on smartphones nowadays. With the industry now more than ten years old, the earliest models are much cheaper thanks to the regular introduction of new generations. There are also brands that have offerings geared towards people with lower budgets. For example, Tecno is by far the most popular brand, with the T349 coming in at the lowest price point.

Trajectory of Other African Nations

As a greater number of people gain access to the internet, entertainment companies will zone in on users in the country like heat-seeking missiles, ready to pounce on the fertile landscape. In other African nations where internet usage is on the rise, the two most popular applications of the technology are social media and entertainment.

Streaming services like Netflix have made efforts to allure people in different regions, with Nigeria being a prime example. There are numerous Nigerian-made films and television series available in the country, which has helped it reach more viewers there than any other African nation.

Gaming is also growing in stature in African nations that have high levels of internet penetration, with mobile and casino games being the most prevalent genres. Thatʼs because these titles are easy to play and donʼt require much processing power, meaning that simple smartphones can run them.

In the list of easy games to play online, casino games like Gonzoʼs Gold and Reef Rider rule the roost. Offerings like slots and blackjack have succeeded on mobile because of their low difficulty and high enjoyment levels. Early mobile games like Angry Birds and Doodle Jump fit in this category too, but more advanced offerings like Fortnite and Clash of Clans are likely to get less action in countries like Uganda currently.

This could be the ideal time for budding developers to emerge in Uganda, as players will want to take part in simple mobile games that are easy to make. Soon, international companies will zero in on the market in the country, and this could make it harder for these smaller studios to gain recognition. Uganda is going to be a huge market, as it appears to be following the trajectory of other African countries like Nigeria and Kenya.

Source: chimpreports.com/

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Szarlot

I am a fan of casino games especially roulette and blackjack. After that I analyze current events in the gambling industry.

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Szarlot

I am a fan of casino games especially roulette and blackjack. After that I analyze current events in the gambling industry.