We are proud to announce the formation of the representative body for esports and gaming in Africa, the Electronic Sports Federation of Africa (ESFA). It’s the culmination of years of engagement, planning, connection and networking among the leaders in esports and gaming from over 40 countries across the African continent.

Why the ESFA?
Before now, there hasn’t been any advocacy group for Africa and Africans. This continental body now carries the aspirations of millions of these eager Africans ready to show the world what they’re made of.
Over the years, there has been events in regions such as LATAM (Latin America), SATAM (South America), NA (North America), SEA (South East Asia), EU (Europe), etc. but none for Africa. We envisage such events will now have Africa (AFR) as a participating region.

Goals of the ESFA
Foster brotherliness and unity across Africa using esports as a positive tool of engagement
• Using esports as a positive tool to tackle socio-economic challenges for the African youth who make up the vast majority of the continent’s population
• Developing the esports ecosystem in Africa and enable it achieve global recognition
• Have esports officially recognized as a medal event at the Africa Games (AG), Africa’s own Olympic.
 
The founders of ESFA
At the core are representatives from four countries
More representatives include some of the very finest Africans from the following countries
 
Algeria 
 
Angola 
 
Benin 
 
Botswana 
 
Cameroon 
 
Congo Brazzaville 
 
DR Congo 
 
Djibouti 
 
Ethiopia 
 
Gabon
 
Guinea 
 
Ivory Coast 
 
Libya 
 
Madagascar 
 
Malawi
 
Mali 
 
Mauritania 
 
Mauritius 
 
Morocco
 
Namibia 
 
Rwanda 
 
Senegal
 
Sierra Leone 
 
Tanzania 
 
The Gambia 
 
Togo 
 
Uganda 
 
Zambia 

ESFA’s vision is to see esports officially recognized as a sport by the African Union (AU), the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC). This will enable esports to be included as a medal sports at the Africa Games (AG), Africa’s own Olympics. Africa has the largest youngest population in the world, most of whom are millennials and generation Z. This is their world, and this is the language they speak – digital.
 
Here’s what the WESCO President, Daniel Cossi, had to say about the formation of the Esports Federation of Africa – ESFA.
 
"We have been working worldwide with esports and trying to have a sustainable system and also using esports as a tool to create better citizens like we have been doing since 2016 when WESCO was founded. We now have our great friends, putting together a structure for a sustainable and standardized system in Africa. The Esports Federation of Africa will be with WESCO and the Pan American Esports Confederation (PAMESCO), one of the greatest esports ecosystems worldwide, and united, we will make it happen. We will bring sustainability, educational and social inclusion and development using esports as a tool for achieving these.
 
All of us at WESCO are more than happy to embrace the Esports Federation of Africa together with the Pan American Esports Confederation in our ecosystem. Together, this family will grow big and make history.”

In a solidarity message to the African gaming community, founding president of ESFA, Emmanuel Oyelakin charged Africa to rise up and take her place in global esports.
 
"Even though Africa has its peculiar challenges, we won’t make excuses. We want to join the committee of nations in the world of esports. With the launch of the ESFA, African gamers now have a voice, an advocate, an organization with grassroots developments of players at its core. We look forward very proudly and confidently to representing Africa in every capacity within the digital and entertainment space. Wherever Africa’s future is mentioned, we will be there to secure it.”

Long live the ESFA, long live Africa!