Nairobi came alive this weekend as Kenya hosted the first-ever PUBG MOBILE Africa Cup Grand Finals between September 13-14. Over two days of intense mobile gaming, top esports teams from across Africa battled for glory.
Infinix GT 30 Pro: The Official Gaming Phone
The event was powered by Infinix, with the recently launched Infinix GT 30 Pro serving as the official gaming phone.
Every match was played on the device, putting its high-refresh-rate display, MediaTek Dimensity processor, and fast-charging battery to the test under tournament conditions.
Players participating in the tournament praised its smooth gameplay and consistent performance, and fans saw the GT 30 Pro handle hours of competitive play without lag or overheating
The Rise of Esports in Africa
According to Ronny Luigi, president of the Esports Kenya Federation, mobile esports has quickly become a driving force on the continent, thanks to the accessibility of smartphones.
“Publishers like Tencent and PUBG MOBILE have made their games lighter so they run on more devices. Combine that with stronger internet, stable electricity, and Kenya’s digital infrastructure through providers like Safaricom, and it’s clear why hosting such an international tournament here was possible,” he said.
Though the $8,000 prize pool was the focus of attention, Luigi remarked that exposure and access matter more for Africa’s esports growth. Over 50 players from different African countries traveled to Nairobi, gaining invaluable international experience on a big stage.
By the end of the tournament, XForce Rejects emerged at the top, claiming the PUBG MOBILE Africa Cup title. Their triumph earned them a coveted spot at the PUBG MOBILE Global Championship (PMGC) 2025, which will kick off in November.
Despite the success of the tournament, Luigi noted that Kenya’s biggest hurdle in the esports arena is venue size.
“Our greatest challenge is space. We need bigger venues like KICC to host enthusiastic Gen Z fans who had to stream online today,” he explained.
“Looking ahead, plans are in motion to expand beyond PUBG MOBILE into eFootball, Call of Duty Mobile, and other competitive titles, further diversifying Africa’s esports ecosystem.”
Esports and Kenya’s Digital Agenda
Luigi further added that esports aligns with Kenya’s digital economy strategy. Hosting such an event required reliable power, stable internet, smooth immigration, and strong logistics, all of which Kenya delivered.
The event also had a direct economic impact, with over 150 Kenyans benefiting through hospitality, event staffing, logistics, and related sectors. Clearly, the PUBG MOBILE Africa Cup Grand Finals 2025 may have ended, but its ripple effect is only beginning.
With stronger infrastructure, more support, and broader access, the next generation of African esports athletes could rise from Kenya to dominate the global stage.
