Exploring the potential in the African population, the boom in mobile users, and the increase of internet penetration in Africa, it is evident that there is a need for Omnichannel solutions to manage the growing gambling market in the country. But how can African Retailers do this?
The current population of Africa is over 1 billion and the target of people between 18 and 44 years old that are engaged in mobile and internet operations represents more than the 25%. In growing markets such as the African demographic, the government has steadily invested in undersea fiber-optic cables and infrastructures, and data related to the mobile and smartphone users – particularly in Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa- is overwhelmingly positive. These promising signs highlight the growing potential of mobile and online gaming.
10% of internet penetration in Africa can appear low but relevant when taking into consideration the rapid increase in recent years. In 2014 Eastern Africa accounted for around 31 million internet users, while in 2015 the number of internet users rose to an approximate 50 million and a projection for 2018 predicts more than 70 million internet users.
Graphics: population and internet users
Concerning Mobile, users and players are principally male, aged between 18 and 35, and interested in online betting and technology. Analyzing the most popular activities among mobile users, statistics highlight an attractive number of potential gamblers in Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and South Africa. At the same time, studies say that by 2018, the mobile betting market in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya would have reached $37 billion.
Graphic: Most popular Mobile activities in Africa and potential gamblers in Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa
The potential of the African continent, the spread of mobile, and the growing number of gamblers is indicating to land retailers that their next step is to move from Shop to Mobile and Online. But how can land-based retailers make this change?
BtoBet’s CEO Alessandro Fried stated:
“The evolving African market requires a suitable platform and fitting software technology that enable operators to manage player data and gambling-related business anywhere, from Shop to Mobile and Online. BtoBet’s next-level omnichannel platform – B Neuron – offers players the best possible experience and operators the greatest insight into their player behavior to drive revenues. It allows the evolution of physical bet-shops into intelligent shops via a single passage, integrating web and physical stores by giving the opportunity to finally understand players’ behavior while playing and set marketing and business strategy.” In this regards, Alessandro Fried added
“Retailers must implement flexible and interoperable systems that can adapt and expand with the needs of their business through technology. Btobet’s intelligent game recommendation engine assists the licensee in such a dynamic and evolving scenario and make them able to anticipate the player’s desires, by suggesting bets and games.”
On the 23rd May, Fried will be the designated speaker of the Sport Betting East Africa Summit in Kenya, exposing the tools for African Retailers to move Online. BtoBet will be present at stand n.105 during SBEA trade show in Nairobi, from 23rd to 25th May.
Read more in the A. Fried’s interview for CalvinAyre here.