Observed Signal · Oct 27, 2026 · Interview / Strategy Update · Source: PocketGamer.biz · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Carry1st focuses on commerce, payments in Africa and Middle East
South Africa-based Carry1st has pivoted its business model over the past 12-18 months towards its commerce platform, comprising Carry1st Shop, Pay1st, and Flow1st. The company now treats Africa and the Middle East as a single region, leveraging local expertise and payment infrastructure to help global gaming partners monetize. A joint analysis with Newzoo forecasts MEA games revenue to reach $8.53 billion in 2026, with revenue growth outpacing player growth. Carry1st's Africa Cup esports tournament continues to expand, with a prize pool of $30,000 in 2026, qualifying for global championships. The company emphasizes localised payment rails and local leadership as key to unlocking spending potential in the region.
Provides strategic insights into Africa's gaming market growth and monetization challenges, highlighting the role of localized payments and esports in expanding the digital economy.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Carry1st pivoted to commerce platform with Carry1st Shop, Pay1st, and Flow1st.
- MEA games revenue projected at $8.53 billion in 2026, up 10.3% YoY (Newzoo).
- Carry1st Africa Cup prize pool doubled to $30,000 in 2026.
- Carry1st expanded CODM qualifiers to 38 countries in 2026.
- Partnership with Stellar Gate Games expanded to new countries and future games.
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mapped“Our latest joint analysis with Newzoo forecasts combined games revenue across MEA to reach $8.53 billion in 2026.”
“That’s what makes our partnerships with global gaming companies like Activision, Tencent and Riot Games successful.”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
MEA Games Market to Reach $8.53B; Africa 406M Gamers
A joint report from Carry1st and Newzoo forecasts the Middle East & Africa (MEA) games market will reach $8.53 billion in 2026, a 10.3% year‑on‑year increase. Africa's gamer population is projected to hit 406.25 million in 2026, up from 369.66 million in 2025, while the wider MEA region will total over 640 million players. Games revenue in Africa is forecast at $1.98 billion (11.9% growth) with mobile representing 81.8% of that spend; the Middle East is forecast to generate $6.55 billion with mobile at 64.3% of spending. Country leaders by revenue include Egypt ($458.1m), South Africa ($263m), Nigeria ($226.6m), Turkey ($1.65bn) and Saudi Arabia ($1.59bn).
Mastercard and Tamatem Partner on Gaming Payments in MENA, Africa
Mastercard has partnered with Tamatem, a mobile games publisher in the MENA region, to enhance gaming payment experiences across the Middle East and Africa. Through this collaboration, Mastercard Gateway, available via Mastercard Merchant Cloud, will serve as the payment gateway for Tamatem Plus across more than 13 markets, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE being the first to launch. The integration enables players to use localized web stores and in-game checkouts via cards, local alternative payment methods, and telco wallet balances. Tamatem Plus currently supports over 30 localized storefronts and offers access to more than 50 local payment methods through a single integration. Mastercard Gateway will also provide 24/7 technical support, multiple local and international acquirer connections, and training and knowledge transfer. Tamatem CEO Hussam Hammo highlighted the partnership as a signal of what homegrown Arab technology can achieve globally.
Why Game Companies Should Not Overlook MENA Market
The article highlights the growing importance of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) games market, emphasizing its large, young, tech-savvy audience, strong revenue growth projections, and untapped talent pools. It cites that the MENA-3 region (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt) generated $2 billion in games revenue in 2024, with projections to reach $2.8 billion by 2029 and grow to 84.3 million players. The broader Middle East games market is predicted to grow from $4.56 billion in 2024 to $9.57 billion by 2030. Mobile dominates revenue, and rising ARPU offers new monetization opportunities. The article also promotes the Pocket Gamer Connects event in Amman, Jordan, scheduled for November 7-8, 2026, as a gateway for companies to build connections in the region.
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