At SiGMA Africa 2026, experts from across the continent come together to discuss the delicate balance between player protection and market growth. In this insightful panel, moderated by Zoe Siwa, CEO from key African gaming regulators and industry leaders explore the challenges and opportunities in regulating African gaming markets. From the importance of regional cooperation to integrating emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, the conversation sheds light on the future of gambling regulation in Africa. Watch as Vusi Mtsweni, Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, Denis Ngabirano, and James Mbalwe share their strategies for sustaining growth while ensuring player safety.

Moderator:
Zoe Siwa is the CFO at Western Cape Gambling Board.

Guest spaekers:
Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe is the CEO at African iGaming Alliance (AiA).
Vusi Mtsweni is the CEO at Mpumalanga Economic Regulator.
Denis Ngabirano is the CEO at National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board.
James Mbalwe is the CEO at Gaming Board of Tanzania.

Connect with the iGaming community: ⁠https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld⁠

At SiGMA Africa 2026, ALGA CEO Musa Mngadi shares deep insights into the challenges shaping Africa’s gambling industry. From tackling illegal gambling to improving player protection and coordinating regulation across diverse jurisdictions, this discussion explores the realities behind enforcement, taxation and market sustainability. Mngadi explains why collaboration between governments, regulators and operators is essential and how shifting mindsets around gambling can create a healthier ecosystem. Discover how Africa is redefining harmonisation, why enforcement matters more than ever and what a borderless, thriving gaming future could look like for the entire continent.

Connect with the iGaming community: https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

In this insightful interview at SiGMA Africa 2026, Moustapha Camara, Chairman of the Senegal National Lottery (LONASE), discusses the critical role of public-private partnerships in strengthening African lottery infrastructure. From leveraging AI for player protection to adapting international best practices, Moustapha highlights how technology is reshaping the gaming landscape. He also emphasizes the importance of building a local legal framework that caters to Africa's unique regulatory, social, and cultural needs. Watch this interview for valuable insights into how African lotteries are evolving in the face of rapid technological advancements.

Host:
-Mercy Mutiria, Reporter at SiGMA News

Guest Details:
-Moustapha Camara. Chairman of LONASE (Senegal National Lottery)

Connect with the iGaming community: https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

In this exclusive interview from SiGMA Africa 2026, Johannes Shimaneni, CEO of the Namibia Lotteries Board, shares strategic insights into the country’s evolving lottery and gaming framework. From operationalising the Lotteries Act to prioritising governance, transparency, and public trust, Shimaneni outlines how Namibia is positioning itself for sustainable growth. He also discusses the importance of regulatory collaboration across African markets, the risks of political influence, and the role of digital transformation in shaping the sector. Discover how Namibia plans to balance economic contribution with consumer protection while building a credible, future-ready lottery ecosystem within a rapidly advancing African landscape.

Connect with the iGaming community: https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

At SiGMA Africa 2026 in Cape Town, Mercy Mutiria, Reporter for SiGMA News, speaks with Deidre Baartman, Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, in the Media Lounge. The discussion explores how the gaming and gambling industry is driving economic growth through job creation, tourism, and business investment, while also raising important regulatory and social responsibility challenges. Baartman highlights the need for stronger collaboration between provincial government, national regulators, and industry stakeholders to strengthen legislation, tackle illegal gambling, and protect vulnerable communities, especially minors, in an increasingly digital betting environment.

Connect with the iGaming community: https://linktr.ee/aibcworld

At ICE Barcelona, consultant Matt Sahakian shares insights into his journey across the iGaming sector, highlighting his transition from platform technology roles to consultancy supporting leading Latin American operators, particularly in Brazil. He discusses how cultural understanding, language skills and localisation have shaped his approach to bridging operators with technology providers. Sahakian reflects on regulation in Brazil as an evolving process, emphasising compliance, opportunity creation and global market integration. He also explores AI-driven transformation, industry events such as SiGMA Dubai and SiGMA Rome, and the importance of collaboration in building sustainable, inclusive and opportunity-rich gaming ecosystems worldwide across global markets.

Connect with the iGaming community: https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

In this interview at SiGMA Africa 2026, James Mbalwe, CEO of the Gaming Board of Tanzania, shares insights on the country’s evolving gaming landscape. He explores how digital infrastructure and emerging technologies are shaping sector growth, alongside the importance of expanding access to regulated markets. The discussion also addresses the rising challenge of illegal gambling across online and land-based channels, and the role of enforcement and responsible gaming frameworks in safeguarding vulnerable groups. James highlights Tanzania’s ongoing investment in real-time monitoring systems and its ambition to develop a centralised regulatory platform to strengthen oversight, transparency, and revenue collection across the industry.

Connect with the iGaming community: https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

At the SiGMA Africa Summit, Sasha Boerma, Commercial Director for Africa at Split the Pot, unpacks the realities shaping gaming markets across the continent. From regulatory complexity in South Africa to the critical role of localisation across diverse player bases, this conversation highlights why Africa cannot be treated as a single market. Boerma shares insights on player behaviour in Botswana and Nigeria, the rise of crash games, and the commercial logic behind reverse billing technology. The discussion also explores how AI, infrastructure, and evolving regulation are influencing growth, innovation, and long-term opportunity across Africa’s rapidly expanding gaming ecosystem.

Guest:
-Sasha Boerma – Commercial Director Africa, Split the Pot.

Connect with the iGaming community: https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

At SiGMA Africa 2026, Mercy Mutiria speaks with Peter Mshikilwa, President of the eSports Federation of Tanzania, on the evolving regulatory landscape shaping eSports across East Africa. As the sector accelerates, key challenges remain around legal frameworks, tax inconsistencies, and cross-border collaboration. Mshikilwa outlines how emerging federations are stepping in to fill regulatory gaps, while emphasising the need for stronger player protection, dispute resolution mechanisms, and stakeholder alignment. From integrity concerns to investor confidence, this discussion offers a grounded perspective on how governments and industry leaders can unlock sustainable growth in Africa’s rapidly expanding eSports ecosystem.

Guest:
-Peter Mshikilwa, President, eSports Federation of Tanzania.

Connect with the iGaming community: https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld

Nick French, Founder and CEO of BetMatch, reflects on his win at the SiGMA Africa 2026 Media Lounge Pitch competition. He introduces South Africa’s first licensed betting exchange and unpacks the regulatory and operational complexities shaping market entry in the region. French discusses investor engagement at SiGMA, emphasising ecosystem collaboration over traditional fundraising. He outlines immediate priorities including regulatory navigation and successful launch execution, alongside long-term ambitions centred on sustainability and community upliftment. A strong focus is placed on his CSI programme and youth development initiatives in Mafikeng, reinforcing a broader vision of responsible growth within Africa’s gaming sector.

Connect with the iGaming community: https://linktr.ee/sigmaworld