Building the Next Gaming Superpower: Hugo Obi Speaks on Maliyo Games Expanding Africa’s Role from Market to Creator Economy

Maliyo Games is one of Africa’s most innovative gaming companies, redefining the continent’s place in the global games industry. Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the company is creating culturally inspired mobile games that showcase African stories, creativity, and talent to the world. Beyond game development, Maliyo is building the future workforce through training initiatives like GameUp Africa and strategic global partnerships, including collaborations with Arizona State University and Disney. By combining entertainment, education, and digital skills development, Maliyo Games is positioning Africa not just as a gaming market, but as a creator and exporter of world-class gaming innovation.

Maliyo Games’ recently cemented partnership with Arizona State University’s Endless Games and Learning Lab is redefining how young Africans can learn, build skills, and earn in the digital economy.

Endless Games and Learning Lab has existed for 20 months at Arizona University, the largest Public University in the United States. At the heart of this initiative is a bold idea: gaming is not just entertainment, it is a gateway to education, innovation, and economic empowerment.

Maliyo Games’ studio

In this exclusive interview with Techeconomy’s OLUWATOSIN ALOBA at the MADHouse, the incubator centre for creatives, situated at the Lagoon front of the University of Lagos, Hugo Obi, founder of Maliyo Games, speaks on the partnership with Arizona State University, through its Endless Games and Learning Lab, to accelerate workforce development in artificial intelligence (AI) and game development across the continent:

Te: This partnership with Arizona State University marks a significant milestone. How does it align with Maliyo’s long-term vision for Africa’s gaming ecosystem?

Hugo Obi: For me, it’s about accelerating talent development. We’ve already been building talent, but now we can truly scale. What’s also important is the skills mapping we’re introducing; it brings more structure and science into how people develop.

This programme isn’t just for university students. It’s for people already working, entrepreneurs, job seekers, and even those who have never attended university. Because it’s virtual, people can participate from anywhere.

Maliyo Games creation | Credit: Google.com

Talent Development & Industry Readiness

Te: Nigeria has a young, digitally savvy population. What specific skills gaps have you identified in the local gaming and interactive media space?

Hugo Obi: People have been playing games for years. The real gap is shifting them from consumers to creators. If we want people to create, we must give them the skills. That’s how we build exports and even soft power.

Te: How will this partnership help transition Nigerian talent from learning to studio-ready production environments? How will this partnership ensure real industry readiness?

Hugo Obi: We’ve been running this system for five years, and it already works. This partnership is about accelerating what is already proven. Some of the people trained through our programme now work with us, and many are thriving elsewhere. That’s how we know the model delivers.

From Learning to Real Impact

Te: Many programmes train people, but do they actually apply the skills?

Hugo Obi: That’s a valid concern. But we’ve already seen the results. We’ve built a system where people go through the process and come out with real, usable skills. The partnership isn’t introducing something new; it’s helping us scale from thousands to potentially tens of thousands.

Economic & Industry Impact

Te: What role does gaming play in Nigeria’s economy?

Hugo Obi: Gaming can drive job creation, digital exports, and youth empowerment. It’s a major opportunity for economic diversification.

Maliyo Games creation | Credit: Google.com

Future Outlook

Te: What kind of projects or real-world outputs should participants expect. And should we expect more partnerships?

Today, we all know games like Candy Crush, tomorrow, the world could be playing games built in Africa. And, yes, more partnerships are coming, including with industry and government. This is just the beginning.

Maliyo Games creation | Credit: Google.com

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