Ghana's slot games goldmine: A TESTA report on online slot testing in Africa
Africa has the youngest population globally, and over 70% of its population is under the age of 30 years. This young population is not only tech-savvy but also keen to use their disposable income on internet entertainment such as iGaming. Countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and Tanzania, which are the largest economies in the African continent, are leading the way in this revolution. Consequently, the demand for online slot games is experiencing massive growth, and it is essential that iGaming operators and industry stakeholders get to know the existing market dynamics.
TESTA, a crowd testing provider that specialises in the iGaming industry, partnered with NEXT.io, to provide a report on online slot games testing in Africa. In a bid to provide valuable perspectives on this ever-changing industry, the TESTA Qrowd Community was introduced in Africa’s four largest iGaming jurisdictions, namely Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. The core focus was on a metric for understanding user experiences—online slot load time which has a significant impact on players’ first impressions and has a bearing on their long-term gaming experiences.
Methodology: load time analysis across devices
To evaluate online slot performance, testing was prioritised on top slot games across popular Android handsets of major African countries within key Android markets, spanning devices from brands such as Samsung, Tecno, Xiaomi, OnePlus, LG, and Infinix. The testing involved five main stages:
1. Device setup: The test was conducted on personal Android devices.
2. App setup: Installation and registration of the 1xBet gaming platform.
3. Testing of games: Load times were measured from the selection of games to full interactivity.
4. Documentation: Screen recordings captured the sessions, along with performance metrics.
5. Analysis: The performance data was analysed on various devices and networks.
This systematic approach provided valuable insights into the actual performance of slot games in the African mobile environment. The results reflect the authentic experiences of players, thus distinguishing them from theoretical download speeds reported in other studies.
Key Insights of slot games by country in Africa
TESTA analysis employed methods derived from earlier slot load time testing in Asia, with a benchmark of 20 seconds to distinguish between great performance and subpar experiences. Four out of eight countries in Asia performed above this benchmark.
In comparison, only Ghana was able to record satisfactory load times in the African context, with an average load time of 18.73 seconds. This performance indicates Ghana’s robust technological infrastructure, which is on par with global standards.
In comparison, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa all had load times in the mid to high 20-second range. The country-by-country performance was examined more closely in the following analysis:
Ghana’s iGaming sector is thriving, and the rise in demand for internet-based gaming mainly contributes to it. Ghana is distinct in the sense that it boasts quicker loading speeds and mobile optimisation is therefore vital to maintaining and improving user retention because majority of players use mobile networks with periodically changing consistency.
Nigeria boasts a successful iGaming industry that expands through the expediency of a technologically inclined youth population that utilises mobile phones and cryptocurrency wallets. Though the nation displays commendable load times, there is a need for ongoing performance testing and real-time monitoring to be implemented to ensure sustained quality experiences.
While there is progress in internet infrastructure, load times in Kenya indicate that some improvement needs to be made. Providers need to invest in innovation like adaptive bitrate streaming to offer slots effectively and improve user experiences.
South Africa, quite unexpectedly, had the lowest average load times across all the tested countries, revealing a critical need for performance optimisation. Well-placed investments in local data centres, along with cutting-edge content delivery strategies, stand to enhance load times significantly.
Comparing providers: the quest for optimisation
Operators in different countries had varying levels of performance, with KA Gaming having the quickest download speeds. However, the general outcome was that even the best load times in Africa fell behind the standards set in Asia. This comparison emphasises the critical role of technological infrastructure in gaming experiences throughout the continent.
The report adds that, providers ought to consider several strategies to optimise their markets positions:
Network optimisation: Online slot games should be adaptable to various internet speeds without compromising on quality especially in a market like Africa. Mike Lo, Head of Solutions at TESTA, concurred with this by stating, “Data cost is a major factor for African players. Providers should aim to design slots that are not just engaging but also data efficient. This means optimising game elements to consume less bandwidth and offering quality adjustments in the settings, allowing players to choose a balance that works best for their data plans and network speeds.”
Local infrastructure investment: The presence of servers or data centres within strategic markets can significantly reduce latency.
Lo added that, “Server proximity is key. To reduce latency in African markets, servers can be placed in strategic locations like Nigeria, Kenya, or South Africa, which can drastically improve load times and gameplay smoothness. This localisation of server infrastructure is particularly important in a continent with such varied internet reliability.”
Emphasising mobile compatibility: Making the games usable on different devices will aid in reaching a wider audience.
By putting these strategies into practice, operators can enhance their competitive standing while playing a role in driving the African digital economy forward. Becoming attuned to the unique nature of the African market is not only beneficial; it is necessary for success in this rapidly emerging iGaming environment.
Be part of the action! Join the world’s biggest iGaming community with SiGMA’s Top 10 News countdown. Subscribe HERE for weekly updates, insider insights, and exclusive subscriber-only offers.
