The Game Conscience Week (Gc Week) kicked off on October 29, 2026, with a press conference at the French Institute in Cotonou, Benin. The event, sponsored by CanalBox, aims to promote gaming and eSports as a means of skills development, inclusion, and entrepreneurship for Benin's youth. The festival, organized by Creative Innovation and Entertainment Lab (Ciel Lab), will take place from October 30 to November 1 at the Institut français and the Majestic.
CanalBox, a provider of unlimited and high-speed internet through fiber optics, is the official internet provider of the Gc Week. The company will ensure a stable connection throughout the festival, enabling participants to compete in online games. Kryst Kinhouandé, project manager and promoter of the festival, expressed his gratitude to CanalBox for its support, highlighting that without it, the competition would not have been possible.
The Gc Week is a three-day event featuring conferences, competitions, and cultural activities. The program includes four panels, two keynotes, and an animation workshop, focusing on topics such as the gaming industry in Africa, game creation and training, and the relationship between families and gaming. The event also features a business gaming panel, a "Pitch Your Game" activity, and a Halloween-themed evening with costume contests and DJ sets.
The festival's organizer, Kryst Kinhouandé, stated that the idea for the event was born out of frustration with the lack of a suitable platform for gamers in Benin. Kinhouandé, a gamer himself, noted that many young people are insulted by their parents for playing video games and that there is a need to change mentalities and support young game creators. The festival aims to demonstrate the positive effects of gaming while also highlighting its negative aspects.
The Gc Week features several competitions with cash prizes totaling 4 million CFA francs and 30 champions to be rewarded. The event has attracted 800 registered players, with games including Tekken 8, FC 26, and Call of Duty Mobile. The festival also promotes gender equality, with separate categories for men and women in combat games and an emphasis on encouraging female participation.
The event goes beyond the tournament, offering a range of activities, including a cosplay contest, a quiz, gaming zones, concerts, and a food court. The festival aims to bring together over 3,000 participants and create a community around gaming and eSports in Benin. After the event, winners will be supported through a digital entrepreneurship training program in partnership with Epitech Benin and Sèmè City.
The long-term vision for the Gc Week is to establish Benin as a hub for eSports and digital culture in West Africa. With the support of public institutions and private companies, the festival aims to promote the growth of the gaming industry in the region and provide opportunities for young people to develop their skills and entrepreneurial spirit.
Key points
- The Game Conscience Week features a 3-day program with conferences, competitions, and cultural activities.
- CanalBox is the main sponsor of the event, providing internet connectivity for the festival.
- The festival promotes gaming and eSports as a means of skills development, inclusion, and entrepreneurship for Benin's youth.
