Maliyo Games Champions African Gaming Talent As Global Recognition Grows

Maliyo Games, a trailblazing Pan-African game development studio, is strengthening its role as a cultural and creative powerhouse by championing African talent on the global stage.

With editorial recognition from Apple and a feature in Google Play’s #WeArePlay campaign, Maliyo is amplifying its mission to tell authentic African stories through games while building the continent’s next generation of creators.

Apple is set to spotlight Maliyo titles including Safari City, Crazy Ludo, Whot King, and Secret Letter— each inspired by African traditions, music, art, and everyday experiences.

This follows Maliyo’s inclusion in Google Play’s global #WeArePlay film series, which chronicles the journey of founder Hugo Obi and showcases how the studio is shaping the future of Africa’s gaming industry.

“Our recognition from Apple and Google validates our vision of placing African creativity on the world map,” said Hugo Obi, Founder of Maliyo Games. “At the heart of our success is the talent pipeline we’re nurturing across Africa — we’re building for today while inspiring tomorrow’s innovators.”

That talent pipeline is GameUp Africa, Maliyo’s flagship training program for aspiring developers.

Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has empowered over 6,000 young talents across more than 20 African countries with skills in programming, design, and audio engineering.

Now in its fifth year, the 2025 edition of GameUp Africa has just begun, welcoming a fresh wave of creators eager to define the future of African games.

Looking ahead, Maliyo is preparing to host MaliyoCON 2025 in December, its first-ever developer-led gaming conference in Lagos.

The event will bring together creators, investors, and policymakers to explore Africa’s gaming opportunities, celebrate homegrown talent, and chart a course for global impact.

This latest chapter in Maliyo’s story builds on a growing legacy of recognition and partnerships, from Apple’s Africa Day App Store Feature to high-profile collaborations such as the Disney-backed Iwájú: Rising Chef.

Since its inception in Lagos in 2012, Maliyo Games has developed over 40 culturally inspired titles while cultivating talent through GameUp Africa.

With creativity rooted in African experiences, the studio continues to position itself as a cultural ambassador through gaming, committed to producing fun, accessible titles that resonate with players worldwide.