eSport – Création Africa

Strategy for creating a regional dynamic to structure the Esports ecosystem The deployment of this strategy began with the Sahel Esports Champions project in November 2022. Capitalizing on this momentum, a new regional action was initiated in East Africa “Swahili Esports Champions 2023” as part of the Nairobi Comic Convention (NAICCON), in collaboration with the Institut français, the Alliance française de Nairobi and with the support of the French embassies, institutes and alliances of Benin, Madagascar, Rwanda, South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. The Swahili Esports Champions initiative represents a significant turning point in the promotion of esports and gender equality in the video game industry in Africa. The competition, the first all-female esport competition on the continent, brought together many of Africa's most influential female figures. On the strength of these enriching experiences, SAGES and the French Institute aim to perpetuate this dynamic by initiating short and medium-term actions.

For 2024, this means setting up the “Esports Talent Academy”: a coaching program for the 8 players of the Swahili Esports Champions 2023, with the aim of developing their leadership and providing them with the keys to effective collaboration with other sectors of the cultural and creative industries (CCI). The eight-month program includes periods of immersion and online training, led by African and/or French experts in personal development, communication (corporate, digital, personal branding, etc.) and business management (esport opportunities, project structuring, business models, etc.).