The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially endorsed esports, paving the way for the inaugural Olympic Esports Games (OEG), which will be hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, later this year. This historic decision was made during the 142nd IOC session in Paris, where National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from across the globe, including those from Africa, voted in favor of the initiative.
While the endorsement signifies a major milestone for esports globally, it raises questions about the readiness and involvement of African NOCs. Did they fully understand the implications of their endorsement? Are they actively preparing for the OEG, or was this merely a ceremonial nod?
Lack of Concrete Action by African NOCs
The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) has acknowledged esports in its communications and hinted at focusing on the OEG in Saudi Arabia in 2025. However, this acknowledgment has yet to translate into meaningful action. Thus far, no African NOC has officially adopted, recognized, or promoted esports within their respective countries. Instead, efforts to engage NOCs have primarily come from existing esports stakeholders, including associations, federations, and private entities.
These stakeholders have made attempts to bridge the gap by attending NOC meetings, but these interactions have largely lacked substantive presentations on esports and strategies for preparing for the Olympic Esports Games. As a result, there is little evidence that African nations are adequately gearing up for this groundbreaking event.
Misconceptions Among Esports Stakeholders
A significant issue lies in the misconceptions surrounding the Olympic Esports Games among African esports stakeholders. Many appear to believe that the OEG will operate similarly to events like the Global Esports Games (GEG) by the Global Esports Federation (GEF) or the World Esports Championships (WEC) by the International Esports Federation (IESF). These are tournaments that focus on gathering members to compete for prize pools or medals.
However, the OEG is fundamentally different. The IOC’s approach involves three pillars: simulation, virtual, and core esports games. Game titles for each pillar will be selected based on their alignment with Olympic values, as seen in the Olympic Esports Series and Week. Unlike the GEG or WEC, the administration of the OEG will be the responsibility of NOCs, cascading down from the IOC to ANOCA and then to the NOCs in Africa’s 54 countries.
The Role of Federations in the OEG
The execution of game titles under the three pillars will largely fall to respective sports federations. For example, simulation games like eFootball and NBA 2K could be managed by football and basketball federations, respectively. Similarly, virtual titles such as virtual taekwondo and virtual table tennis would be handled by their corresponding federations, from the continental level down to national levels.
This leaves a critical question: What titles will the IOC select for the core esports category? Popular games such as CS:GO and Call of Duty, widely regarded as true esports titles, do not align with Olympic values. Additionally, for core esports titles, it remains unclear which entities the African NOCs would entrust with their administration, given that most African NOCs do not formally recognize esports associations or federations affiliated with the GEF or IESF.
Challenges and Opportunities for Africa
The IOC has stated that international federations with e-versions of their sports will be prioritized for OEG titles. Similarly, NOCs that have already integrated esports into their activities will be given precedence. This raises a significant challenge for African NOCs, most of which have yet to formally recognize esports. Without this recognition, Africa’s chances in the core esports category are severely diminished, and the immense talent within the continent’s esports community may go unrepresented.
The Path Forward for Africa
The big question remains: What is Africa’s plan for participating in the OEG? ANOCA, NOCs, and continental federations have yet to take tangible steps toward preparing for the games. Will this be another case of last-minute and poorly executed efforts, as has been the pattern with traditional Olympic events? Or, worse, will Africa miss out entirely on the inaugural OEG? Such an outcome would be a significant setback and a missed opportunity for the continent to showcase its esports talent on a global stage.
For Africa to make a meaningful impact at the OEG, there must be a concerted effort to:
- Recognize Esports: NOCs across Africa must formally adopt and integrate esports into their activities.
- Engage Stakeholders: Esports associations, federations, and private entities must collaborate closely with NOCs to present a unified front.
- Educate and Prepare: NOCs need to understand the unique structure of the OEG and develop strategies for participation.
- Invest in Talent: Resources should be directed toward nurturing esports talent and ensuring adequate representation at the OEG.
The inaugural Olympic Esports Games present a unique opportunity for Africa to solidify its presence in the global esports ecosystem. Whether the continent seizes this moment or lets it pass will depend on the actions taken in the months ahead.
