Sports Betting West Africa+ Summit Reveals Details of Its 11th Edition for the First Time

West Africa's largest industry gathering for betting and gaming will take place on October 14–16, 2026, in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The organizers have published the schedule, speaker lineup, and venue details.

What the SBWA Acronym Stands For

Sports Betting West Africa Summit (SBWA ) is an annual conference and exhibition bringing together operators, regulators, and participants of Africa's gaming ecosystem. In 2026, the event will mark its 11th anniversary. Over the past decade, the summit has established itself as a key hub for the West African market, where business connections are forged between local and international industry players.

Positioning itself not merely as a conference but as a fully-fledged ecosystem platform, SBWA traditionally attracts hundreds of participants from around the world. Each previous edition, according to the organizers, has delivered tangible results in the form of contracts, partnerships, and new business models.

Why the Industry Watches Events in Dakar So Closely

The summit has long earned a reputation as a place where deals are made and strategic partnerships are formed. Networking here is not a formal ritual but a working tool. Several networking activities are built directly into the program, including an invitation-only dinner. The upcoming edition is expected by the organizers to continue this tradition.

The West African market is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth. International companies are showing increasing interest in the region, and regulatory discussions are intensifying across several jurisdictions simultaneously. The summit focuses on examining the current rules in West African countries and sharing best practices for increasing revenue and market share.

The very fact that Africa is hosting an event of this scale for the eleventh time speaks volumes. The continent has long ceased to be on the periphery of global betting and has become a full participant in the global ecosystem. This is also confirmed by analytical resources focused on specific African markets. For instance, according to the review site bookabet.co.cm, the list of online operators working with the region is already extensive and diverse, ranging from major international brands to niche platforms with support for local payment methods. Many of these companies will, notably, be represented at the booths and panels of SBWA in Dakar. Growing competition among operators only reinforces the importance of such summits, where market participants can discuss the rules of the game and build strategies for the years ahead.

Three Days in Dakar: Hour by Hour

October 14, 2026

  • 17:30–22:00 — SBWA welcome reception and Eventus Awards Evening ceremony.

October 15, 2026

  • 09:30 — Registration and morning refreshments
  • 10:00–17:00 — Conference and exhibition
  • 17:30 — Networking Dinner (by invitation only)

October 16, 2026

  • 09:30 — Registration and morning refreshments
  • 10:00–16:30 — Conference and exhibition

What Will Be Discussed at the Conference

The agenda has been shaped around the industry's most pressing needs. Topics on the program include marketing strategies for the region, the intricacies of regulation of betting and lotteries, as well as cybersecurity and data protection. Presentations will be delivered by both local and international experts.

Who Will Take the Stage at SBWA 2026

The speaker lineup encompasses regulators, operators, legal professionals, technologists, and consultants.

Regulators and Government Bodies

  • Moustapha Camara — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Senegal National Lottery (LONASE)
  • Nonso Ndumanya — Head of Gaming and Emerging Economy, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) Nigeria

Law, Compliance, and Tax Practice

  • Adedoyin Oriadetu — Head of Tax Compliance, WYZE
  • Emmanuel Kwasi Gadasu — Cybersecurity, Data Protection & IT Law Consultant, GIT Plus Limited / IIPGH
  • Iretiayo Bola Obasunloye — Legal and Compliance Officer, KC Gaming Networks Ltd (Bet9ja)
  • Olajumoke Odudimu — Legal/Company Secretary, Velex Advisory Limited
  • Oyiza Maleek — Head of Legal, Tradabets

Cyber Risks and Cybersecurity

  • Alex Williams — Cyber Risk Specialist, National Cybersecurity Centre

Operators, Lotteries, Product, and Commerce

  • Annalisa Samuels — VP Africa, CP Games
  • Geoffrey Muindi — Managing Director, Gaming NewsByte / Africa Brand Ambassador, Eventus International
  • Kolade Olalekan — Country Manager, Predictpro Gaming Limited (PlayNaija)
  • Olubiyi Williams — Head of Sales & Business Development (Africa), Mamba Play
  • Rossy Kay-Manzebu — Store Manager, Premierbet Senegal
  • Simon Pepper — Chief Product Officer, Tola
  • Vera Sherman — Online Manager, Premier Bet Liberia

Payments, Fintech, and Customer Experience

  • Korobla Dosso — Digital and Customer Experience Manager, LONACI
  • Loukakou Charly Donna — Co-Founder & CCO, Niirpay

Technology, Platforms, and Solution Providers

  • Edward Oluigbo — Founder, CEO, Predict International Limited
  • Ekaterina Mayorova — Head of Region (Africa), QTech Games
  • Joel Anyaegbu — Sales and Account Manager West Africa, QTech Games
  • Kelvin Wilson — Innovator, Product Engineer & Founder, Oddsense
  • Solomon Godwin — Head, Africa, Booming Games

Industry Expertise and Consulting

  • Dr. Kolade Abisoye — Founder/CEO, iGaming WriteNow
  • Kaan Bulakeri — Founder & Strategy Consultant, WekaMawe Advisory
  • Musa Mngadi — Chief Executive Officer, ALGA

Esports and Federations

  • Bonny Omara — General Secretary, Uganda Esports and Gaming Federation

Community and Content

  • Salako Rodolphe — Community Manager, Onlyplay

The Expo Area and Networking as a Deal-Making Engine

The SBWA expo area brings local and international solution providers together under one roof. Market participants will be able to walk the booths, explore the latest technologies and services tailored for the West African region. According to experts, this is one of the most important parts of the exhibition. As noted by the authors of the leading review site for online bookmakers book-a-bet.co.za, it is technology that defines the leaders in this highly competitive niche today. This explains the traditionally high level of interest in this part of the event.

The event format is deliberately structured around business contacts. In addition to conference sessions, the program includes several networking activities, culminating in the invitation-only dinner on October 15.

The Summit Venue and Useful Information

The chosen venue is King Fahd Palace Hôtel in Dakar. The luxury hotel is located near the city's iconic landmarks — Le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine (4.2 km) and Mosque of the Divinity (5 km). Complimentary Wi‑Fi is available to guests.

The full program, event brochure, organizer contacts for participation inquiries, and accommodation booking are available on the official SBWA Summit website.