The August 2025 GameUp Africa Meetup took a unique turn, bringing together a panel of GameUp Africa alumni who shared their journeys into the game industry, followed by a live walkthrough from Program Manager Dorothy Orina, who represented African creators at Gamescom in Germany. This session not only highlighted the growth of our community but also provided practical insights into what it takes to build careers in the global games ecosystem.
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Alumni Panel: Life After the Bootcamp
Each panelist reflected on their beginnings, challenges, and how the program shaped their skills and confidence.
- Overcoming doubts – Several alumni admitted they didn’t believe they could start a career in games at first, but the structured learning, mentorship, and community support provided by GameUp Africa gave them the foundation to push forward.
- Breaking into the industry – From freelance projects to internships and studio roles, alumni emphasized the importance of building a portfolio through projects, game jams, and collaborations with peers.
- Advice for newcomers – Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to put your work out there.
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Mergery Wanjiru spoke candidly about her transition from a completely different field into games. “I didn’t think I belonged at first,” she admitted, “but GUA gave me the confidence to own my space as a creator. Now, I see that my background actually adds value to the stories I tell.”
Nomso Nwachukwu emphasized the importance of discipline and consistency. “Finishing the bootcamp was tough, but it taught me that game development is about small steps. You don’t need to know everything before you start, just keep building and learning.”
Joanna Oluoch reflected on the power of community: “Honestly, I stayed because of the people. We pushed each other, gave feedback, and celebrated small wins. Alone, I might have given up — but together, we grew.”
Hadi Zorkot, who has since worked on freelance projects, encouraged newcomers to showcase their work. “Don’t hide your projects. Even if it feels small or unfinished, share it. That’s how people find you, that’s how opportunities come.”
Together, their experiences reflected the larger theme: GameUp Africa isn’t just about acquiring skills — it’s about creating a supportive ecosystem that helps you grow and keeps you in the game.
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🌍 A Live Walkthrough of Gamescom 2025
Following the panel, Dorothy dialed in live from Gamescom in Cologne, Germany — one of the world’s biggest gaming events, with over 400,000 attendees each year. She gave us a virtual tour through the massive halls, describing the sheer scale of the event.
She noted:
“The most interesting thing this year is seeing so many indie studios monetizing better than last year. You’ll find teams of just one or two people creating games that are really good.”
She also shared key insights on opportunities for African creators at events like Gamescom:
African Presence – While there wasn’t a dedicated “African Corner” this year, Dorothy spotlighted African developers and studios like Maliyo Games, Kalisi Studios, Wesa Interactive, and more, who made their mark.
Networking is Everything – “At Gamescom, you can cross shoulders with someone important and not even know it. Preparation is key — book your meetings in advance.”
Government & Publisher Interest – She pointed out that many countries (like Finland, home of Supercell) see games as a huge source of tax revenue, and are investing heavily in the industry. African governments and studios can learn from this model.
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In Case You Missed It…
🎥 Watch the full recording on the Maliyo Games YouTube channel.
Why This Meetup Mattered
Unlike previous single-speaker sessions, this month’s meetup was about community voices and shared experiences. By showcasing both alumni journeys and international insights, the session reinforced that the African game development movement is thriving — and that platforms like GameUp Africa are essential bridges between learning and industry.
As we look forward to the next session, one thing is clear: GameUp Africa is not just training developers; it’s shaping the future of Africa’s role in the global gaming industry. If this sounds like something you’d like to be a part of, visit our website to Apply Now
Don’t forget to follow us on social media at @gameupafrica_ and GameUp Africa’s LinkedIn page.
