A new Mordor Intelligence report forecasts cloud gaming as Africa’s fastest-growing gaming platform through 2031. The firm projects a 13.72% compound annual growth rate for cloud gaming from 2026 to 2031.
Africa’s wider gaming market is estimated at US$2.29 billion in 2026 and forecast to reach US$4.10 billion by 2031. That works out to a 12.32% CAGR, so cloud gaming is expected to grow a little faster than the market overall.
Cloud Growth Follows Data Centre and Network Investment
Much of the cloud forecast comes back to infrastructure. Mordor points to telecom bundles, faster networks, edge computing, and hyperscale data centres as factors that could expand cloud gaming access.
That can help in markets where imported consoles and gaming PCs can be expensive. Cloud gaming moves demanding processing away from the device in front of you, which can lower the local computing requirement.
The connection still has to be fast and stable enough, and nearby computing capacity can reduce the network distance involved. Telecom bundles could also put gaming access inside mobile or home internet plans people already have.
We have already looked at this broader telecom relationship on Cloud Dosage. The difference here is that Mordor is putting a regional growth forecast around it.
Mobile Gives Cloud Gaming a Ready Access Point
Smartphones accounted for 61.15% of Africa’s gaming revenue in 2025. That makes mobile part of the cloud opportunity rather than something cloud gaming needs to replace.
A phone can handle many games locally and also act as a screen for cloud gaming when the connection and service support it. That gives cloud providers a way to reach connected devices without requiring a console or gaming PC in every home.
The mobile-first market also helps explain why telecom companies appear throughout Mordor’s forecast. Data access, payment options, and network quality can all affect whether cloud gaming becomes practical for more people.
Infrastructure Gaps Still Set the Limits
Cloud gaming cannot get around unreliable electricity or poor connectivity. Network quality can vary considerably between countries and cities, and those differences can change the experience quickly.
That is why the 13.72% figure should stay attached to Mordor Intelligence. It is a forecast from one market model, not a measured industry-wide result.
As we covered earlier this week, cloud gaming forecasts can vary widely depending on definitions and methodology. Within Mordor’s model, cloud gaming is expected to grow faster than Africa’s other gaming platform categories through 2031.
As always, remember to follow us on our social media platforms (e.g., Threads, X (Twitter), Bluesky, YouTube, and Facebook) to stay up-to-date with the latest news. This website contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission when you click on these links and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. We are an independent site, and the opinions expressed here are our own.
