This March, the SiGMA Africa event returns to South Africa to celebrate and unite the continent’s burgeoning iGaming markets under one roof; in this case, the roof of the Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World. From 3 March through to 6 March, colleagues and entrepreneurs from all around the world will gather in the Cape Town venue to share ideas, solutions and business cards.  

More than 250 exhibitors are expected to make their way to the event, in the shadow of Table Mountain, and there’s plenty of good reasons for SiGMA Africa to be held there beyond the scenery. Despite its geographical position, South Africa is absolutely one of the central hubs of Africa’s iGaming activity. This is, in fact, the third occasion in a row that the conference will be hosted in the country, following on from the event’s debut in 2023, hosted in Kenya. But Africa’s southernmost country is far more than a pleasant meeting place, it’s a real industry force, with the likes of Betway and Hollywoodbets having big presences in the country.   

Of course, as beautiful a setting as the host nation is, South Africa is not the whole story. The rest of Africa’s iGaming industry, both on the side of operators and regulators, has been evolving and growing with real intention in past years. For instance, in 2025, we saw the creation of the African iGaming Alliance (AIA), a trade movement spearheaded by the former head of Botswana’s gaming regulator, Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, who will be one of the many esteemed speakers over the course of the week. Harmonisation of regulatory approach is one of the AIA’s central goals, and it will almost certainly be a hot topic of discussion in the conference hall.  

Speaking of the venue... the multi-purpose complex just outside the centre of Cape Town is succeeding Emperors Palace in Johannesburg and the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi as the prestigious setting for SiGMA Africa. Known for being a thriving casino and arts venue, with its capacity of up to 7,000 people, the atmosphere in the Grand Arena will be humming without being too crowded and stuffy for the attendees. There are plenty of options if you need to slip off for a networking lunch or dinners between panels, workshops and special events.   

One of those very special events will be SiGMA Startup Pitch, which is making a triumphant return to spotlight Africa’s most promising startups. This is the front line of industry, and the part of the event where visitors can witness with their own eyes which direction iGaming innovation is going. There will be over 100 entrants hoping to catch the judges’ attention, with only the cream of the crop – just six – making it all the way to the last leg. Events like these are becoming increasingly common at major industry gatherings, and as entertaining and informative as they are, the significance of making it to the final stages can be huge for young businesspeople. Funding, strategic partnerships and the chance to connect with mentors and investors – there’s all to play for.  

Across the four days, SiGMA Africa will deliver a packed schedule stuffed with thought leaders, innovators and policymakers from across the globe. While day one is a time for arrivals, registrations and settling in, there’ll still be plenty of activity at the GrandWest Complex with a welcome reception from 4pm through until 8pm open to all ticket holders.  

Proceedings really get going the following day with some high-level discussions examining Africa’s regulatory landscape. Early on in the day’s programme, attendees will have the chance to hear from Robin Bennett, Head of Regulatory and Compliance at the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, before Kesitilwe gets the conversation on regional cooperation kickstarted.  

There will be a lot of fine legal minds in attendance this year, the likes of Ngabe Franklin Njumbe, for example, and those working hard to establish functional gambling harms organisations like Ladipo Abiose Akolade, Founder of the Gamblepause Initiative.  

This pair and many others will be featuring on regular panels as well as the odd fireside chat. The latter format lends attendees the chance to get a little more up close and personal with founders and veteran operators and hopefully gain some insights they might not have heard otherwise.  

On 5 March, there are no holds barred. This is the last full day – all good things must come to an end after all – and the conference will draw to its crescendo with more investor roundtables, country-focused deep dives and a dedicated session on the future of esports and virtual gaming in Africa.   

Other panels cover sports, payments, SEO, people and indeed, this is when SiGMA Pitch comes to a head as well. Affiliates are not neglected, with major Commercial Directors like Sasha Boerma leading the way as to what models hold up and retain trust across African markets. And stick around for the keynote speech for the most up-to-date SEO tactics. Away from panels, though, the exhibition floor will be in full swing, with dynamic exhibitions everywhere you look, all showcasing cutting-edge gaming products, software and hardware.  

And when it’s all over, the fun doesn’t stop. Networking lounges and evening events will give delegates the chance to forge new partnerships, keep the ideas flowing and enjoy a little fun and relaxation too.  

The growth of the South African market and the wider African iGaming landscape is something to celebrate after all, as is the wit and innovation of all those at SiGMA Africa striving to build that market responsibly and with strong foundations.   

Cape Town is a marvellous location for such a celebration, sandwiched between the ocean and the mountains. As delegates make their way from the complex each evening, they’ll find enjoy plenty of culture and local flavour. It’s a city full of energy and that energy can drive the spirit and connections on the exhibition floor.  

Because that’s what SiGMA Africa is all about: connection. And as the sun sets over the Cape, you get the feeling this year’s edition is only the beginning of something much bigger for Africa’s iGaming future.