SAGES Africa (Services for Africa Gaming & Esports) is proud to announce the return of the Kongo Esports Champions and Mzansi Esports Champions in 2024. After a successful edition of the Swahili Esports Champions 2023 in Nairobi, these groundbreaking competitions, part of the “Tekken Africa Queens Challenge,” will bring together Africa’s top female esports talent to compete in Tekken 8 across two key cities: Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Johannesburg (South Africa).
The Esports Champions events are part of a strategy developed by SAGES Africa and Institut français to boost and structure the esports ecosystem at regional level in Africa. The deployment of this initiative began with the Sahel Esports Champions project in November 2022. Building on this momentum, new initiatives have been launched through the Création Africa programme, implemented by the Institut français with funding from the FEF Création of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, this time focusing on the role of women in esports (Swahili Esports Champions, Kongo Esports Champions, Esports Talent Academy).
Kongo Esports Champions 2024 will take place from November 22 to 24,at the Manga & Geek Days Festival in Kinshasa, DRC. The Mzansi Esports Champions 2024 will follow from November 30 to December 1, as part of the rAge Expo in Johannesburg, South Africa. Both events will showcase the continent’s best female Tekken players, selected through local qualifiers held across multiple African countries.
For the Kongo Esports Champions 2024, qualifiers will be held in Kenya, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Gabon, Madagascar, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Central African Republic. Similarly, for the Mzansi Esports Champions 2024, participants will qualify from South Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, and Zambia.
Highlighting Africa’s Leading Tekken Talent
Both competitions will feature 8 elite female players, including renowned esports champion Sylvia Gathoni Wahome, better known as QueenArrow. As the godmother of the Tekken Africa Queens Challenge, QueenArrow continues to inspire a new generation of female players while playing a pivotal role in promoting gender equality within esports.
The Kongo Esports Champions 2024 and the Mzansi Esports Champions 2024 will both offer a total prize pool of $2,500, with the winner taking home $1,000. Players will face off in a double-elimination format across two days, with matches live-streamed for audiences worldwide via Twitch and YouTube.
Empowering Women Through Esports and Entrepreneurship
In addition to the high-stakes competition, both events will host Business Meetings, offering a platform for representatives from the African esports scene to engage in discussions about the growing importance of entrepreneurship in gaming. These meetings will place special emphasis on female entrepreneurship, exploring opportunities for women in the gaming and creative industries.
These professional gatherings are supported by key partners such as the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, The Institut Français, Manga & Geek Days, rAge Expo, and various African local esports partners. The discussions aim to foster collaboration between esports stakeholders, local organizations, and industry professionals. There will also be a section devoted to professional training, with several French trainers from the video games and esports sector taking part in the event.
A Broader Vision for African Esports
SAGES Africa, under the leadership of Désiré Koussawo, continues to drive the development of esports in Africa by creating a 360-degree esports ecosystem that empowers African players, organizers, and content creators. With a growing global footprint, SAGES is committed to providing the necessary infrastructure, technology, and opportunities for African esports talent to shine on the world stage.
“We are determined to create an environment where African esports talent can thrive and compete at the global level. Through strategic partnerships like the one established with the Institut français, we are ensuring that Africa becomes an essential player in the global esports ecosystem,” said Désiré Koussawo, President of SAGES Africa and organizer of these events.
“Esports is a powerful vehicle for cooperation and dialogue between societies. Thanks to initiatives supported by the Institut français, we are strengthening cultural ties and opening new opportunities for African youth,” emphasized Sophie Renaud, Director of Cooperation and Societal Dialogues at the Institut français de Paris.
“Esports has immense potential in Africa, offering a dynamic platform to showcase the region’s creativity and digital innovation. As the industry continues to grow, it also presents a vital opportunity to empower female players, creating a more inclusive and representative future in esports. We are proud to support this initiative, partnering with SAGES Africa to champion women in esports and to strengthen our collaborative efforts across the continent,” said French Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, His Excellency David Martinon.
