The sports betting industry in Africa has grown into one of the continent’s most active and profitable sectors.
- The sports betting industry in Africa has grown to become a significant and profitable economic sector.
- Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya are notable leaders in the African betting economy by volume and participation rate.
- The six leading African countries in sports betting account for over 440 million bettors as of 2025.
With millions of users betting on sports through mobile apps, websites, and betting shops, the sector in Africa continues to draw interest from investors, regulators, and researchers alike.
This growth is largely driven by the continent’s young population, rising internet access, and widespread use of smartphones.
According to GeoPoll’s April 2025 Betting in Africa survey, a large percentage of people in many African countries have participated in sports betting at least once.
When combined with mid-year 2025 population data from Worldometer, the scale of active bettors in some countries becomes clearer.
Sport betting hubs in Africa
Countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya are often cited as leaders in Africa’s betting economy, but when ranked by estimated number of active bettors, the order may surprise some.
The table below shows the top 6 African countries with the highest number of estimated sports bettors in early 2025, calculated by combining participation rates with mid-year population estimates.
| Rank | Country | Mid-2025 Population | Betting Participation Rate | Estimated Sports Bettors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 237,527,782 | 71% | 168.7 million |
| 2 | South Africa | 64,747,319 | 90% | 58.3 million |
| 3 | Kenya | 57,532,493 | 79% | 45.5 million |
| 4 | Uganda | 51,384,894 | 87% | 44.7 million |
| 5 | Tanzania | 70,545,865 | 56% | 39.5 million |
| 6 | Ghana | 35,064,272 | 56% | 19.6 million |
Together, these six African countries account for over 440 million bettors, highlighting the scale of the continent’s sports betting economy.
Nigeria leads by volume, with over 168 million estimated bettors, a figure driven more by population size than by individual participation levels.
Southern Africa stands out for its intensity. In countries like South Africa, where the participation rate nears saturation, a strong regulatory framework and deeply embedded betting culture sustain high engagement, even with a smaller population base.
East African nations, particularly Kenya and Uganda, report some of the highest participation rates on the continent. Here, mobile technology plays a central role, with USSD and app-based platforms allowing widespread access, even in lower-income areas.
Fathia Olasupo
