Tanzania has the potential to unlock a new source of jobs, investment, and export earnings by developing its video game industry. A study visit by Tanzanian officials to Finland highlighted opportunities for the country to build a gaming ecosystem that supports startups, develops specialized talent, and creates digital entertainment products for domestic, regional, and international markets. With a growing startup community and young population, Tanzania has a foundation for exploring the sector alongside financial technology, agricultural technology, tourism, and healthcare.
The Finnish gaming industry generates approximately €3 billion in annual revenue, with globally recognized companies such as Rovio, the developer of Angry Birds, and Supercell, known for games like Clash of Clans and Hay Day. Finland's gaming culture grew from the demo scene of the 1990s, when developers experimented with creating digital demonstrations under technical limitations. The community subsequently expanded, supported by professional networks and organizations such as the Finnish chapter of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA).
For Tanzania, the opportunity extends beyond developing games for local consumption. With Kiswahili, distinctive cultural experiences, and access to a wider African audience, experts believe local studios could develop products for regional markets and potentially distribute them internationally. However, achieving this will mean building the skills, businesses, professional networks, and commercial structures needed to turn creative ideas into sustainable products.
A gaming expert, Christopher Hamilton, advised the Tanzanian delegation that building a sustainable ecosystem requires understanding the people, organizations, and initiatives already operating in the country. Rather than immediately creating new structures, stakeholders should establish whether existing universities, incubators, and technology communities can support game developers. This approach could help Tanzania avoid duplicating initiatives while creating opportunities for developers to collaborate, exchange ideas, and access professional development.
Hamilton also challenged the perception that game development is exclusively for technology enthusiasts or people with advanced coding skills. He emphasized that it takes all sorts of people to make video games, including programmers, artists, designers, writers, producers, marketers, and business specialists. Collaboration across disciplines is important for aspiring Tanzanian studios. The Finnish experience also highlights the importance of developing specialized skills and connecting education with practical production.
Universities and technology institutions in Tanzania could explore game-development training covering programming, animation, interactive storytelling, design, and the commercial aspects of running studios. Project-based learning, game-development competitions, and opportunities to build prototypes could help students move beyond theoretical knowledge towards products that can be tested with users. African stories could also provide a unique selling point for Tanzanian developers, with international audiences interested in discovering stories from different parts of the world.
Tanzanian developers could draw inspiration from local history, languages, communities, and everyday experiences to create culturally distinctive games for different audiences. Kiswahili could provide a way to reach players across East Africa and other markets where the language is understood. However, developers would need to consider affordability, device availability, connectivity, and payment systems when designing products. International networks could help emerging developers gain professional exposure, learn from established studios, and showcase their products.
Key points
- Tanzania can develop its video game industry by building a gaming ecosystem that supports startups and creates digital entertainment products for domestic, regional, and international markets.
- The country can learn from Finland's gaming success, which generates approximately €3 billion in annual revenue.
- Tanzanian developers can draw inspiration from local history, languages, and experiences to create culturally distinctive games for different audiences.
