Africa
Basketball Africa League 2021: By the Numbers
History will be made when the first BAL season tips off today and culminates with the crowning of the first BAL champion on Sunday, May 30
The inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) (theBAL.com) season will tip off today at 4:00 p.m. CAT / 10 a.m. ET when Rwanda’s Patriots Basketball Club (BBC) takes on Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers at the Kigali Arena in Rwanda.
Below are facts and figures about the BAL:
• 1 – History will be made when the first BAL season tips off today and culminates with the crowning of the first BAL champion on Sunday, May 30. The BAL, a partnership between the NBA and FIBA, marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America.
• 1 – Ben Uzoh, who joined Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers, is poised to become the first former NBA player to play in the BAL, having played for the New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors from 2010-12. He was also a member of the Nigeria Senior Men’s National Team at the 2016 Olympics, FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and FIBA AfroBasket in 2013 and 2015.
• 3 – As Official Energy Partner of the BAL, New Fortress Energy Inc. (NFE) and the BAL will contribute three trees for every three-pointer made during the BAL season as part of “Threes for Trees,” a collaboration with international NGO Trees for the Future.
• 8 – A roster of eight broadcast partners will air BAL games around the world: Canal+, ESPN, beIN SPORTS, NBA TV, Tencent Video, TSN, American Forces Network (AFN) and Voice of America (VOA). All BAL games will also livestream on the NBA App, the official NBA website NBA.com and the official BAL website theBAL.com.
• 9 – The BAL is working with a roster of nine world-class marketing partners: Agence France Development (AFD), Flutterwave, Hennessy, Jordan Brand, New Fortress Energy (NFE), NIKE, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Social Nation Africa (SNA) and Wilson.
• 9 – Nine players bring NBA G League experience to the BAL’s first season: Brandon Jay Costner and Prince Ibeh (Rwanda’s Patriots BBC); Myck Kabongo and Demarcus Holland (Mozambique’s Ferroviàrio de Maputo), Ibrahima Thomas (Mali’s AS Police); Uzoh, Taren Sullivan and Robert Christopher Daniels (Rivers Hoopers); and Ater Majok (Tunisia’s US Monastir).
• 12 – The inaugural BAL season will feature 12 club teams from 12 African countries: Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Tunisia.
• 20 – A total of 20 former Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa campers are on BAL team rosters, including one NBA Academy Africa prospect (Mohab Yasser Abdelaty Abdallatif of Egypt’s Zamalek).
• 21 – There are 21 BAL players with U.S. NCAA Division I experience, with 11 teams featuring at least one former Division I player.
• 22 – The inaugural BAL season will be officiated by 22 of FIBA Africa’s top referees, a group of 19 men and three women from 16 countries selected after live and video observation by the NBA’s Referee Operations Department, in partnership with FIBA and FIBA Africa.
• The season will feature a total of 26 games. The 12 teams are divided into three groups of four teams. The top eight teams from the group phase will qualify for the playoffs, which will be single elimination in all three rounds.
• 154 – BAL roster feature 154 players from 24 countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the U.S.
• 215 – The inaugural BAL season will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in 15 languages.
• 7,621 – The two BAL courts have travelled 7,621 miles from Dollar Bay, Michigan, to Kigali, Rwanda.
• 23,724 – The total number of miles travelled by 11 teams to get to Kigali.
• 36,975 – Each court consists of 255 panels and weighs approximately 16.7 tonnes (36,975 lbs.).
Africa
SYNOT Games Partners with Aardvark Technologies

In a strategic initiative aimed at expanding its influence in regulated African markets, SYNOT Games, a leading developer of online casino games, has announced a partnership with Aardvark Technologies, one solution provider for online and retail iGaming. This collaboration positions Aardvark as a primary aggregation partner for SYNOT Games, enhancing the company’s footprint in rapidly evolving markets across the African continent.
The partnership builds upon an already successful history between the two companies, which has enabled SYNOT Games to establish a foothold in African markets. With this formalised integration, the two sides will combine forces to navigate the continent’s complex regulatory landscape, leveraging Aardvark’s operational acumen and advanced omnichannel platform to drive distribution and growth.
“Our collaboration with Aardvark Technologies marks a pivotal step in SYNOT Games’ long-term strategy to become a leading force in regulated African markets,” said Martina Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games.
“Aardvark effortlessly connects mobile, web, and retail channels, and their deep understanding of the varying legislation across different areas truly makes them a fantastic partner. Here at SYNOT Games, we’re dedicated to providing transparent, compliant, and player-focused content in every market we enter,” she added.
Aardvark Technologies, headquartered in Lithuania, has emerged as a key SaaS provider for gaming operators, known for its scalable transaction engine and intuitive management systems. The company’s technology stack empowers operators to manage multi-channel gaming operations with precision and agility. These capabilities are crucial for success in diverse regulatory environments such as those found across Africa.
“We are pleased to formalize our collaboration with SYNOT Games,” said Arijus Denisovas, spokesperson for Aardvark Technologies.
“SYNOT’s impressive portfolio, combined with its strong commitment to regulated markets, aligns with our mission of providing top-notch gaming content via secure, trusted, and locally tailored infrastructure. Together, we’re raising the bar for responsible gaming in Africa.”
The African iGaming sector, though highly fragmented, is widely regarded as one of the most promising emerging regions globally, driven by mobile-first consumer behaviour, rising internet penetration and evolving legislative frameworks. By uniting SYNOT Games’ growing library of certified titles with Aardvark’s aggregation and compliance tools, the partnership is poised to unlock new levels of accessibility and engagement for operators and players alike.
Both companies emphasize the importance of regulatory alignment and ethical gaming practices. SYNOT Games operates exclusively in regulated markets, prioritising player protection, data integrity and the transparency of its offerings. The company’s products are certified across multiple jurisdictions and supported by a robust compliance infrastructure.
The post SYNOT Games Partners with Aardvark Technologies appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
World Sports Betting Partners with Comrades Marathon Association

World Sports Betting has become the Official Sports Betting Partner of the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA).
South Africa’s premier online sports betting platform has signed a three-year deal with the Comrades Marathon, kicking off now with the 2025 event and running through to the 2027 event, which will be the 100th edition of the Ultimate Human Race.
World Sports Betting was founded in 2002 and has been at the forefront of South African sports betting over the last decade. As the country’s premier online sports book, it offers a friendly, fast and secure online sports betting experience, with innovative markets tailored for its South African clients.
As part of its involvement at Comrades, World Sports Betting will help to place an even bigger focus on the world-class elite athletes that grace this world-famous ultramarathon. The World Sports Betting team will also be creating a vibe for runners in Westville, with a route activation about 15km to go from the finish. Traditionally, this is a point of the race that many runners need as much support as possible to keep tired legs going, and the vibrant support of this activation will help the runners go all in with their push for the finish.
“World Sports Betting is extremely proud to sponsor this landmark event. As a proudly South African brand, it’s important for us to align with local sporting events that not only showcase exceptional talent, but also reflect the rich spirit, diversity, and heritage of our vibrant country. We believe in backing platforms that unite communities, celebrate local excellence, and inspire the next generation of champions,” said Ryno Du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer at World Sports Betting.
CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo said: “We are pleased to welcome World Sports Betting as the Official Sports Betting Partner to the Comrades Marathon. They will not only add immense value to our race-day activations, but their commitment to supporting iconic events aligns perfectly with the spirit of our ultramarathon. This partnership will undoubtedly enhance the experience for our runners and spectators alike, and we look forward to a successful collaboration that supports our athletes in achieving their goals.”
The 98th Comrades Marathon will be run on Sunday, 8 June 2025.
The post World Sports Betting Partners with Comrades Marathon Association appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
SOFTSWISS Steps Onto The South African Tech Stage

SOFTSWISS, a global provider of iGaming software solutions, is making its first major public tech debut in South Africa as a proud partner of Africa Tech Week 2025, taking place in Cape Town from 3 – 4 June. Recognised as a leader in iGaming software solutions development, SOFTSWISS will also feature prominently on the speaker line-up, with its Deputy Chief Security Officer, Artem Bychkov, taking the stage as a key voice in the greater cybersecurity conversation.
Africa Tech Week has become one of the continent’s premier events for digital transformation, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies, global thought leaders, and the next wave of innovation shaping Africa’s future. With industry giants, trailblazers, and policymakers converging from across the world, this year’s event promises to set the tone for the continent’s tech agenda.
“Africa Tech Week isn’t just a tech event – it’s a catalyst for digital innovation and cross-continental collaboration,” says Bychkov. “We’re proud to be part of this vibrant ecosystem as it pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in Africa’s digital economy. I look forward to engaging with experts from around the world and sharing my experience in building strong defences against cyber risks.”
While SOFTSWISS sets the bar globally for iGaming technology and its sustainable usage, the company’s Africa strategy will see it focus strongly on expanding local partnerships, contributing to digital resilience, and promoting best practices in fields ranging from cybersecurity to responsible practices in iGaming.
This marks a focused approach in South Africa for the award-winning technology company, as it explores new opportunities and local collaborations. Bychkov’s keynote will focus on the shifting security landscape in emerging tech markets and how businesses can prepare for current and future digital risks.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 30,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Steps Onto The South African Tech Stage appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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