Indie Games Fund in Africa: Meet the selected studios
Indie Games Fund Africa: Meet the selected studios
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to some of the world's most vibrant storytelling, cultural richness, and creative ingenuity, powering one of the fastest-growing game development ecosystems on the planet.
Earlier this year, we opened applications for the first-ever Google Play Indie Games Fund in Africa, committing $1 million to help bridge the funding gap, overcome international distribution barriers, and support talented indie developers across the continent.
Today, we are thrilled to announce the 10 independent game studios selected for the 2026 cohort.
Each of these studios will receive a share of non-dilutive funding, alongside direct access to commercial and growth resources, hands-on 1:1 mentorship from Google Play specialists, and tailored technical support from Unity. This support is designed to help them optimize their titles, scale sustainably, and bring authentic African stories and gameplay mechanics to a worldwide audience.
Meet the 10 selected studios
From action platformers, cozy puzzles, and rhythm games to immersive simulations, meet the studios shaping the future of African gaming:
- Clockwork Acorn (South Africa): A South African indie game studio founded in 2014 by industry veterans dedicated to making timeless games, supporting local talent, and creating a positive impact through their work. Jetstream is an elegant puzzle game featuring over 100 hand-crafted levels, a calming minimalist art style, and unique mechanics that challenge players to guide a plane through the clouds.
- Deluxe Entertainment Studios (Nigeria): An independent studio creating distinct games featuring striking visuals, bold ideas, and unique stories rooted in African imagination for global audiences. Their title Rasta Santa is an action-packed 2D platformer set in Lagos, where you play as an undercover cop disguised as Santa, waging war on traffickers to rescue children and defend an orphanage.
- Disputed People (South Africa): A South African studio founded in 2023 that is dedicated to crafting rich, character-driven video games filled with creativity, quality, and wonder-filled experiences. Their title Mitts and the Divine Recipes is a 3D retro-inspired adventure game where players explore the cozy world of Epicuria, gathering divine ingredients, cooking meals to gain special abilities, and solving puzzles to advance.
- Fer Factor (Nigeria): An independent game development studio based in Lagos, Nigeria, dedicated to crafting fun, innovative, and memorable gaming experiences for players worldwide. Their title Chore Master is a cozy and satisfying game where players use intuitive controls to clean spaces, scrub stains, and transform chaotic rooms into spotless, picture-perfect environments.
- Gazuntype Entertainment (Nigeria): The independent game development alias of Tade Ajiboye, an innovative builder with over a decade of experience crafting immersive video games and VR experiences in Nigeria. Their title Go North is a cozy, story-driven exploration adventure where players guide Dara through beautifully unique mazes, discover magical items, and uncover a sinister mystery.
- Leti Games Limited (Ghana): A pioneering African creative technology studio based in Ghana, dedicated to bringing authentic African stories and innovations to global audiences through games and interactive experiences. Their title Sweave is a rhythm-based, hyper-casual mobile game inspired by traditional African weaving techniques, where players navigate a dynamic weaving ball across a digital loom while dodging cultural obstacles and battling bosses.
- Maliyo Games (Nigeria): A Lagos-based studio founded in 2012 that creates engaging, African-inspired gaming experiences celebrating local culture for a global audience. Their title Safari City is a vibrant mobile puzzle and renovation game where players solve match-3 puzzles and restore a rundown town into a beautiful, thriving community.
- Studio Bo (South Africa): An animation and games company based in Cape Town, South Africa, known for bringing a playful visual style and quirky humor to interactive experiences, animations, and upcoming mobile titles. Their title Idle Sands is a cozy 2D idle-clicker where players manage a fleet of robots to clean up a beach, uncover treasures, and automate their operations with relaxing music and charming artwork.
- Vetkoek Studios (South Africa): A youth-owned South African game development studio dedicated to creating high-quality, accessible mobile games with authentic African themes while empowering the next generation of local creators. Their title Taxi Ranked is a casual, retro-style driving game capturing the chaos and humor of South African minibus taxis through vibrant comic-book graphics, multiple game modes, and deep vehicle customization.
- Weza Interactive (Kenya): A Kenyan game studio founded by twin brothers Odongo George Ahere and James Ahere to build original, culturally rich worlds that educate, empower, and entertain global audiences. Their title Riziki is a free-to-play mobile rhythm adventure where players guide twins Nabo and Moja across Africa, tapping and swiping to Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Rhumba to restore harmony and bring vibrant environments to life.
Congratulations to all 10 studios. We're excited to champion your vision as you continue crafting unforgettable experiences for players around the world.
