• Supercell launched a grant program offering African game studios $20,000 to $200,000 in non-dilutive funding

  • Eligible studios will keep full ownership of their games while receiving financial support

  • The initiative targets Africa’s fast-growing, mobile-first gaming industry

Finnish mobile game developer Supercell opened applications on July 6 for its inaugural grant program for African game studios. The publisher of Clash of Clans and Clash Royale is offering grants ranging from $20,000 to $200,000. The funding is non-dilutive, and recipients will retain full ownership of their intellectual property.

“Some of the most exciting creative energy and distinctive cultural narratives today are emerging from Africa, and we believe this talent will help shape the future of global gaming,” the Helsinki-based company said in its announcement. “Through this program, we hope to support exceptional game development studios, strengthen an emerging games ecosystem, and learn alongside the talented teams building the next generation of games.”

Applications close on August 9, 2026. Submissions will be reviewed between August and October, with selected studios notified in October and initial disbursements expected to begin in December, according to Supercell’s website.

Applicants must be legally registered and headquartered in Africa, with most of their staff based on the continent. Individual developers are not eligible.

Beyond supporting Africa’s gaming ecosystem, the program could also advance Supercell’s strategic interests. Supporting local studios could give the company closer ties to developers capable of bringing fresh stories and creative ideas to the industry. It could also deepen Supercell’s understanding of a market where smartphones are the dominant gaming platform and help it establish early relationships with promising developers.

Africa’s Mobile-First Gaming Market

The initiative comes as Africa’s gaming industry expands rapidly. The continental market generated $2.29 billion in revenue in 2025, according to the State of the Industry: African Video Game Report 2026, published by SpielFabrique and Xsolla. It is growing at an average annual rate of 12.32%, compared with a global average of 7.5%.

Despite that growth, much of the African market’s potential remains untapped. The continent still trails the world’s largest gaming markets in Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe. The global video game industry was valued at $239.92 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $255.03 billion in 2026.

Africa’s gaming industry is developing differently from more mature markets, where consoles and personal computers remain central. Smartphones are often the first personal digital devices owned by African consumers, creating a mobile-first culture in which mobile gaming is the main gateway to interactive entertainment. Mobile games account for about 87% of players on the continent.

The dominance of mobile gaming lowers some of the hardware-related barriers facing Africa’s roughly 250 game development studios, most of which are concentrated in markets such as Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa. However, studios must still design games for less powerful devices and for users with limited or unreliable internet access.