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By Lukman Olabiyi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Bashir Are, has disclosed that the forthcoming 2026 Africa Gaming Expo (AGE) will examine regulatory frameworks, emerging trends, challenges, opportunities and future prospects within Africa’s fast-evolving gaming market.
Are made this known on Friday while briefing journalists alongside other stakeholders ahead of the Expo, which will be hosted by Babajide Sanwo-Olu as part of efforts to reinforce Lagos’ status as Africa’s leading commercial, technology and regulatory hub.
The event, themed “Africa’s Gaming Market: Frontier to Prominence,” is scheduled to hold in Lagos from March 24 to 27, 2026.
According to the organisers, AGE is endorsed by the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum (GRAF), International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), Association of Nigeria Bookmakers (ANB), the Lagos State Government, and the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria.
Are described AGE 2026 as the continent’s premier gaming, lottery and emerging-technology conference, bringing together regulators, policymakers, investors, operators, technology providers and compliance leaders from across Africa and the global gaming ecosystem.
He noted that this year’s edition captures Africa’s decisive transition from an emerging frontier to a structured, investable and globally significant gaming market.
“The theme reflects growing regulatory maturity, technology adoption, cross-border collaboration and the increasing role of gaming in revenue diversification and job creation across African economies,” Are said.
He added that AGE 2026 will feature high-level policy dialogues, regulatory and compliance workshops, technology and fintech showcases, investor forums and cross-border partnership sessions.
Key focus areas will include responsible gaming, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) compliance, digital payments, regulatory harmonisation and the application of emerging technologies across gaming and lottery ecosystems.
Other organisers present at the briefing included Charles Ekundayo, Chief Executive Officer of African Gaming Expo; Adenike Oyebamiji, Public Relations Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Africa Gaming Expo; Samuel Roland, Chief Operating Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority; Sheriff Olaniyan, Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Bookmakers; and Tamunopreye Tuadibofa, Executive Secretary of the Association of Nigeria Bookmakers.
“Africa Gaming Expo 2026 reaffirms Africa’s readiness to compete, collaborate and lead—positioning Lagos as the gateway to a gaming market that has moved decisively from frontier to prominence,” Are stated.
