Gamescom 2018: African game developers looking to power up at German gaming conference

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It's an industry worth more than a hundred billion dollars. And African gaming developers are getting in on the action this week at one of the largest video game conferences in the world. CGTN's Guy Henderson reports from Cologne.

The game is called "Mzito" - "the people" in Swahili. It is a mobile mission to clean up Africa. Kenyan George Ahere is the developer. A few years ago, says Ahere, creating something like this was far more difficult.

GEORGE AHERE WEZA INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT "MPESA was mobile money and once that mobile money hit the market, a lot of FinTechs started popping up. Fintech became the norm. And once so many companies were into FinTech, companies started diversifying."

TEDDY KOSSOKO MASSEKA GAMES STUDIO "So he is one of the artist, and this game is played in my country."

At the next table, Teddy Kossoko: who's home is locked in civil war. Teddy's now based in France. But it's his local market he has in mind.

TEDDY KOSSOKO MASSEKA GAMES STUDIO "Many members of my government play this game because I ask for a meeting and they told me they can receive me: I showed them the game and they were very interested in it".

GUY HENDERSON COLOGNE "A lack of landline infrastructure across parts of Africa has meant the continent has rapidly embraced mobile technology. And on the sidelines of one of the largest gaming conferences in the world, that potential is beginning to be realized. It's a breakthrough year for some of the brightest developers on the continent. Who, for the first time, have their very own stand here."

The global video gaming market could be worth $138 billion by the end of the year. Live events like this, the League of Legends World Championships, attract millions of fans - and turn the best players into wealthy stars.

Africa now hosts its own versions - much smaller-scale of course. But the group that made the Africa Corner here happen says it's the best way to seek out talent.

SIDICK BAKAYOKO PARADISE GAME "When we were doing the rounds in different African countries it helped us identify some of the key players there, see some of the games, interact with them, tell us about the long-term goals and the vision that we had. And we told them: guys, we need you on-board because that means it's an entire industry that's going to be better tomorrow."

Down the road - the main event's about to get underway: GamesCom. Tomb-Raider we all know, maybe - just maybe, "Mzito" could be next. GH, CGTN, COLOGNE.