In a landmark achievement for African game development, Pan-African studio Maliyo Games has earned international recognition as Apple Inc. featured three of its titles in this year’s Africa Day App Store celebration . The announcement, made in a statement on Wednesday, underscores Maliyo Games’ pivotal role in crafting culturally relevant gaming experiences from the continent.
As part of Apple’s annual editorial spotlight celebrating African innovation across apps, games, music, and film, Maliyo’s Crazy Ludo , Safari City , and Whot King were handpicked and showcased with exclusive Africa Day-themed updates . These updates were developed by local talent trained through Maliyo’s flagship GameUp Africa initiative, further highlighting the studio’s commitment to nurturing African creativity.
The Africa Day editions of the three games became available on May 21, 2025 , on both the App Store and Google Play .
“This recognition from Apple is a huge moment for us and for African game development as a whole,” said Hugo Obi , Founder of Maliyo Games. “It validates the years of hard work by our amazing team across the continent. We’re proud to tell African stories through our games, built by African developers, for a global audience.”
Obi explained that each of the featured titles incorporates African themes, artistry, and storytelling. Crazy Ludo , a reimagining of the timeless board game, now includes African power-ups, dynamic daily missions, and exclusive Africa Day tournaments. The latest update features in-game art inspired by traditional African design motifs.
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Safari City , a match-3 puzzle game combined with city-building mechanics, allows players to construct African homes and neighborhoods. The update introduces new character stories, such as Mama Gold , refreshed interfaces, and architecture inspired by real-world African landmarks.
Meanwhile, Whot King , Maliyo’s digital adaptation of the beloved Nigerian card game, now features a new Africa Day Challenge . This multi-city tournament lets players compete using heritage-inspired card decks across iconic African locations.
Founded in Lagos in 2012, Maliyo Games has emerged as a cultural ambassador through gaming. Obi expressed pride that the studio’s selection for Apple’s Africa Day App Store celebration highlights Africa’s mobile-first gaming future and the creative potential of African talent.
“At the heart of this growth is GameUp Africa , Maliyo’s developer training program launched in 2021. With over 6,000 applicants to date, the initiative has become a pipeline for nurturing young African developers, many of whom worked on the featured games and Maliyo’s collaboration with Disney on Iwájú: Rising Chef ,” Obi said.
He added that Maliyo’s inclusion in Apple’s Africa Day feature reflects a broader trend of rising interest in African gaming. A recent KPMG report revealed that the continent’s gaming industry generated over $1 billion in revenue last year , solidifying its place within Africa’s creative economy.
“The future of gaming is diverse, inclusive, and global, and Africa is a big part of that story,” Obi concluded. “We’re building games that reflect our culture, our stories, and our people. This is just the beginning.”
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