In the heart of East Africa, Kenya’s gaming industry is undergoing a transformation, and women are at the forefront of its evolution. Once considered an emerging market, Kenya has fast become a hub for innovation, regulation and technology, with women driving change at every level of the ecosystem.
This month, as part of the iGaming Business x Women in Gaming Africa monthly column, we spotlight five remarkable Kenyan women whose work is redefining how the world sees Africa’s gaming landscape. From regulators to legal experts, communicators and platform leaders, their stories reflect a country that is not just growing, but leading.
The regulator’s perspective: Building trust through structure
For Esther Argwings, assistant director at Kenya’s Gaming, Betting Control and Licensing Board, her 26-year journey through the industry mirrors its evolution. Having risen from gaming inspector to senior leadership, she has seen Kenya’s gaming industry expand from local casinos to a dynamic, digitally enabled ecosystem.
“The industry has grown in numbers and in keeping up with international operations,” she explains. “With the new Gambling Control Act of 2025, there are new opportunities for operators and better instruments to regulate the sector effectively.”
Esther’s mission is deeply rooted in responsible gaming and education. “The public needs to be sensitised about the harms of gambling and the importance of responsible play,” she says. “We’re working to ensure players can access help when they need it, and to build a system that prioritises safety and compliance.”
Her message to the global gaming community is clear: Kenya is not a frontier, it’s a dynamic innovation hub shaped by its youth, technology and ambition.
The connector: Bridging local talent with global platforms
For Agatha Wanjugu, sales and account manager at QTech Games, Kenya’s potential lies in connection. “What drew me to [Kenya’s] gaming industry is how it blends technology, creativity and community,” she says. “It’s fast-paced, constantly evolving and every day brings something new.”
She believes Kenya’s biggest growth potential lies in creating platforms that connect global content with local players while showcasing African talent. “It’s not just about importing games,” she adds.
“It’s about building ecosystems that include esports, homegrown content and partnerships that celebrate African creativity.”
At QTech, her focus is on localisation and collaboration. “We work closely with partners to adapt offerings to African markets, from language to bonuses to player engagement. By amplifying local voices and ensuring responsible growth, we’re helping shape a sustainable gaming future.”
The platform visionary: Building African frameworks for global content
Zsuzsanna Zeibig, general manager at EGT Kenya, has spent two decades in gaming, working her way up from croupier to regional leader. Now based in Nairobi, she oversees both digital content distribution and land-based solutions across Africa, giving her a unique perspective on how technology and localisation are shaping the continent’s future.
“The regulation is being shaped to accommodate both industry players and local audiences,” she says.
“But one of the biggest challenges is that new markets often try to copy existing Western regulations. African countries should learn from one another instead, because each market has unique cultural, economic and political dynamics.”
For Zsuzsanna, growth in Kenya’s gaming industry lies in adapting technology to African realities while empowering local players and partners.
“Sports and crash games are leading now, but casino content is growing fast. The most exciting part is that we’re here at the beginning, helping shape how digital gaming evolves in Africa.”
The communicator: Giving Kenya’s industry its voice
Lola Okulo, co-founder of Tact Communications and former head of PR for BetPawa Africa, has spent nearly a decade shaping the narrative of gaming across the continent.
She didn’t plan to enter the industry, “it chose me,” she laughs, but she quickly became one of its strongest advocates. “This industry contributes so much to sports and ecommerce, but often struggles with reputation and misunderstanding,” she says. “Communications should sit at the heart of business strategy, guiding decisions and building trust.”
For Lola, Kenya’s success is inseparable from its technological edge. “We’re a mobile-first market with one of the most advanced fintech ecosystems in the world,” she explains. “Financial inclusion, mobile money and connectivity create an environment where gaming can thrive responsibly.”
Her goal is to see communications elevated across African operators. “When communications leads from the top, we prevent issues before they arise and tell our story with pride.”
The legal architect: Championing responsibility and AI integration
Rounding out the group is Aileen Yonah-Mima, general counsel for Carnaval Kenya Ltd, who has been instrumental in embedding responsible gaming into corporate DNA. “My passion comes from developing initiatives that promote responsible play and leading CSR projects that uplift communities,” she says.
Aileen’s legal work is shaping the next phase of Kenya’s gaming growth. “The biggest opportunity lies in integrating AI to balance profitability and responsibility,” she explains. “AI can help personalise player experiences while mitigating risk, ensuring both sustainable business and player welfare.”
Her perspective reflects a broader Kenyan truth: innovation and ethics can coexist. “We’re not just a market,” she insists. “We’re a Silicon Savannah, driven by creativity and technology. Success here comes from deep investment in local talent, not surface-level presence.”
Kenya’s women, Africa’s future
Together, these five women paint a portrait of Kenya’s gaming industry that is vibrant, ethical and forward-looking. They represent regulators setting standards, companies bridging continents and professionals advocating for transparency, collaboration and inclusion.
Their work is proof that Africa’s story is no longer one of potential, it’s one of progress.
As Kenya continues to innovate and the global spotlight grows brighter, the women leading this transformation remind us that gaming in Africa isn’t just about technology or profit. It’s about people. It’s about vision. And it’s about building an industry that future generations can be proud of.
About Women in Gaming Africa
Women in Gaming Africa (WiG Africa) is a non-profit community connecting, elevating and empowering women across the continent’s gaming industry.
Through events, mentorship and advocacy, WiG Africa champions representation, leadership and inclusion while fostering a stronger, more connected African gaming ecosystem. Learn more or get involved at www.womeningamingafrica.org.
Women in Gaming Africa spotlights five women driving growth in Kenya’s gaming industry, as they discuss core principles that the market should be honing.