With increasing disposable income, this generation is accelerating the adoption of internet and mobile devices and making Africa a prime market for online games like slots.

Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and Tanzania — Africa’s largest economies and populations — are leading this transformation. While regulations vary across these countries, the popularity of slots continues to grow.

With surprisingly large portions of the population engaging in online games, understanding this market is becoming more and more necessary for iGaming operators and game providers.

To address this need, the TESTA Qrowd Community was activated across Africa’s five largest iGaming markets, and instructed to focus on an important data point for understanding real user experiences: online slot load times.

Load time testing is crucial for TESTA clients since it determines first impressions and influences long-term player experiences. The testing was performed on the 1xBet platform and analysed various slot game providers.

Device selection and testing methodology

TESTA looked at slot games on popular Android smartphones in Africa’s largest markets, including models from Samsung, Tecno, Xiaomi, OnePlus, LG and Infinix. These devices represent typical hardware used in Africa.

Testing simulated real user experience through five steps:

1. Device setup: Testing on personal Android devices

2. App setup: Installation and registration on 1xBet gaming platform

3. Game testing: Measuring load times from game selection to full interactivity

4. Documentation: Screen recording sessions and collecting performance data

5. Analysis: Evaluating performance across devices and networks

This approach provided insights into real-world slot game performance across Africa’s mobile landscape, with results applicable to the broader market.

A note on game load time

It’s important to remember that while game load time is an important aspect of the overall player experience, there are other factors to consider and to test. While players generally appreciate games that load quickly, game asset resolution or animation smoothness shouldn’t be compromised for the sake of faster loading times. Players’ expectations of a “smooth and fast-loading game” involve a balance between load speed and overall game quality — a fine line that TESTA explored in crash games performance testing in India.

Key takeaways by country

In this analysis, TESTA extended its methodology from previous (2024) slots load time testing conducted in Asia to the African market, using a defined benchmark of 20 seconds to distinguish good performance from bad. In Asia, of the 8 countries tested, 5 were able to deliver excellent game load speeds of less than 20 seconds: Thailand (12.5s), India (15.24s), Korea (15.41s), Indonesia (16.73s), and Japan (16.74s).

By this standard, only Ghana demonstrated comparable load times under the 20-second mark — while slower markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa were in the mid to high 20s.

Tanzania showed much slower load times — in the 40s plus range, which also corresponds to the slower Asian countries tested including Vietnam, Malaysia and The Philippines.

Ghana led the rankings with an impressive average load time of 18.73 seconds. This showcases the country’s strong technological infrastructure that’s on par with global standards.

Note that TESTA’s results reflect real user experiences on actual devices in each country. These may differ from download speeds reported in other studies. This real-world testing approach captures the typical player experience rather than theoretical speeds measured under ideal conditions.

Country specific analysis

This section provides a deeper look at slots load performance in each country. The best and worst performers are highlighted to show the range of download times — and the underlying technological strengths and areas requiring urgent attention are discussed.

This analysis not only highlights the disparities in user experience but also serves to show the kinds of optimisations that can improve service delivery and user engagement.

Ghana

Ghana’s iGaming market is booming thanks to a growing interest in online gaming. And apparently, players in Ghana experience relatively faster slot game download times compared to other African nations.

As the market continues to expand, prioritising mobile optimisation will be crucial, especially since many users access games via mobile networks that may be less consistent than fixed broadband. Focusing on lightweight game designs and server-side optimisations can drastically reduce load times and enhance user retention.

Nigeria

Nigeria’s iGaming market is thriving because of the advancements in technology and its youthful, tech-savvy population using mobile and crypto wallets for iGaming. As online gaming gains traction, the importance of quick load times matters more for attracting and retaining players.

Nigeria showcases some of the best load times in the region, reflecting its robust mobile network. However, providers can still benefit from ongoing performance testing. Using real-time monitoringtools allows them to adjust game quality dynamically based on network conditions, ensuring a smooth gaming experience; and getting boots on the ground to test across devices and networks always helps.

Kenya

Kenya’s iGaming market growth has been influenced by technological advancements and the increasing popularity of online gaming among players. As the market matures, quick load times have become essential for maintaining player engagement.

Despite Kenya’s progress in internet infrastructure, the disparity in game load times highlights the need for a tailored approach to game delivery. Providers like Nolimit Cityset a benchmark for efficiency, suggesting that investments in local data handling and adaptive bitrate streaming could benefit other providers. Such strategies would not only cater to varying internet speeds across the country but also align with the preferences of a diverse player base.

South Africa

Surprisingly, testers in South Africa’s iGaming market faced challenges despite its established infrastructure and growing interest in online gaming. With the highest average load time among the surveyed countries (Spinomenal), South Africa’s iGaming market presents a critical need for performance enhancement.

Providers should consider developing more server endpoints within the country or partnering with local ISPs to facilitate faster content delivery. Additionally, incorporating more advanced compression techniques and pre-loading assets could significantly improve load times for content-rich games.

Tanzania

Tanzania’s iGaming market is on the rise. However, the performance of game providers in terms of load times presents challenges.

Tanzania’s varied load times across providers indicate a potential bottleneck in content delivery. The focus should not only be on employing CDNs but also on optimising the content itself. Simplifying game graphics and interfaces, particularly for mobile users, can lead to faster loading times in this region.

Comparing providers

While not all providers were present in every country tested on 1xBet, KA Gaming ranked among the top 3 providers with the best load time in all 5 countries where it was present. The average top load time also went to KA Gaming with 14.00 seconds across 5 countries.

Apart from KA Gaming, Nolimit City, NGMGame had fast load speeds under the 20 secondmark, which TESTA has seen as a benchmark average for providers to shoot for.

However, again, it’s notable that the fastest African load times were slower than Asian ones. On the extremely slow side, Endorphina showed an average download time of 49.67 seconds.

Recommendations for operators and providers in Africa

With Mike Lo, Head of Solutions

Mike Lo works with TESTA via its sister company, Jigentec. He’s a seasoned expert in solutions delivery and has 15 years of experience providing internet solutions primarily in Asia but in the last few years, he’s in the mix all over the world for TESTA iGaming clients. We asked Mike about the report’s findings and what they mean for operators and providers seeking success in Africa.

Ian: Hi Mike, great to have you back to share insights with TESTA marketing. I want to talk with you about the factors that casino operators and game providers should be aware of when considering performance in Africa. So first off, why is the size of a slot game an important factor in Africa?

Mike: Thanks, Ian. The size of a slot gamecan impact its accessibility and performance. In Africa, where internet speeds can be bad in rural areas, smaller, lighter games ensure faster load times and smoother gameplay. This matters a lot because if a game takes too long to load, players might just give up and go somewhere else.

Ian: Makes sense. And how does game load speedplay into this, especially considering Africa’s mobile gaming popularity?

Mike: It’s all about quick access. Mobile users have high expectations for speed. In urban areas with better connectivity, players expect near-instant load times. However, in regions with slower 3G networks, optimising game load speed becomes even more critical. It’s about balancing high-quality graphics and animations with performance to maintain player engagement across diverse network conditions.

Ian: Speaking of optimisation, could you explain the importance of server locationin Africa?

Mike: Yeah, server proximity is key. For reducing latency in African markets, placing servers in strategic locations like Nigeria, Kenya, or South Africa can drastically improve load times and gameplay smoothness. This localisation of server infrastructure is particularly important in a continent with such varied internet reliability.

Ian: So with all the varying network quality, how should providers approach bandwidth availability and the cost of data?

Mike: 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.

Ian: Finally, how can providers ensure consistent performanceacross both urban and rural areas in Africa?

Mike: It’s about understanding and adapting to the infrastructure. In cities with access to 4G and 5G networks, providers can push the envelope with richer features. In contrast, for rural areas where 3G is still prevalent, the focus should be on compatibility and performance efficiency. Adapting to this digital divide with a flexible approach to game design can help maximise reach and player satisfaction across the continent.

Ian: Thanks, Mike. Those are some good things to keep in mind for slots providers looking to optimise their offerings for Africa.

Mike: My pleasure, Ian. It’s about tailoring the approach to meet local needs, and in today’s saturated game studio market, great UX in all regions is a real point of difference.

Conclusion

This analysis reveals how technological infrastructure impacts gaming experiences across Africa. Ghana leads with the fastest slot load times, while Tanzania’s slower times highlight infrastructure challenges.

For providers targeting this market, key strategies include:

1. Optimisation for diverse networks: Creating responsive games for varying internet speeds without sacrificing quality.

2. Investment in local infrastructure: Establishing data centres in markets like Nigeria and South Africa to reduce latency.

3. Focus on mobile compatibility: Ensuring games work across all devices, from premium smartphones to basic models.

Providers implementing these strategies will strengthen their market position while supporting Africa’s digital economy growth. Success depends on adapting to the unique characteristics of the African market.

About TESTA

By leveraging crowdsourced testing, TESTA offers unique product feedback and market insights, giving operators just what they need to improve UX. The key is to balance speed with service quality across all user interactions.

TESTA hopes that these insights and recommendations can help operators in Brazil to strategically improve their platforms, enhancing both user satisfaction and operational effectiveness.