Confederation of West Africa eSports emerges.

IOC President,  Dr Thomas Bach presenting an Olympic souvenir to the President of the Nigerian eSports Federation, Mr. Agbor Clinton, while the ANOCA President, Mr. Mustapha  Berraf, looks on from behind.

Esports is fast becoming a force to reckon with, and as far as esports development and promotion is concerned in Africa, one region that has demonstrated it readiness to fully embrace esports is the West Africa sub region of the continent. Such development has reached an advanced stage and is leading to the establishment of the Confederation of West Africa eSports.

The work is being carried out on the ground on a daily basis to develop policies and programmes that will enhance the formation of the regional esports body which vision is to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous esports community to drive the impact, and ambition of all member states of the Confederation of West Africa eSports. correspondent Adeline Shuri reports that The coordinator of the Confederation of West Africa Esports. Mr Chrisantus Tah said, "the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) is delighted to see that esports is becoming stronger in the region and has promised to give all the necessary support".

Some of the objectives of the new body in esports for West Africa sub region will includes the bringing together numerous international sports organizations of all sizes to improve the coherence and effectiveness of collaborative action, Confederation of West Africa eSports also intends to strengthen the base of knowledge of the different member states. In addition the new esports body in West Africa will provide resources, practical tools and information to better achieve common goals that will ensue esports becoming a sustainable sport.

The growing interest of esports among the youth in the West African sub region has been the catalyst for the establishment of the Confederation of West Africa eSports to promote esports at the regional level.

The President of the Nigerian Esports Federation, Mr Agbor Clinton who is also at the centre of the formation of the regional esports body said the emergence of the Confederation of West Africa eSports is an organization looking to become “the voice and authority for the sub regional esports movement.

The Nigerian eSports Federation's President also commended the ECOWAS body and Mr. Colin Webster (past president of International Esports Federation and Confederation of African Esports) who have shown interest in the development of the regional body for esports and have committed themselves to fully participate in the process in which Nigerian eSports Federation's President has described as a 'laudable achievement'.

”The formation of the Confederation of West Africa eSports body partnership will further strengthens the West Africa esports’s mission of convening the West Africa esports ecosystem. The regional esports body will among other things allows us to develop a pathway together for an inclusive, progressive, and visionary future for the youth and the entire region of West Africa," said Mr Agbor Clinton.

Financial and infrastructural investments are needed to move Africa to compete with the rest of the world on a level playing field. Until a body like the Confederation of West Africa eSports it is felt that the region will not develop as it should. As the African audience keeps growing, the need for proper administration, good  governance, and stable growth becomes more-and-more important.

With a young, actively engaged and growing demographic, the esports industry will see an increasing number explore different ways to engage with the ecosystem. The African market would need to find ways to creatively and actively engage its audience are some of the issues that the sub reginal body in esports will tacle .However, despite these limitations, the opportunities are endless because the continent represents a massive untapped pool of esports talent that will stop at nothing to play on an international level. The rise of competitive gaming hinges on the rollout of more advanced network infrastructure.

Over ten (10) countries out of the fifteen (15) member states of ECOWAS have so far indicated interest and the remaining five are expected to soon be be part of the sub region esports body.

To have first hand information on the formation of the Confederation of West Africa eSports an online meeting is planned.

A number of leaders in the West Africa esports have declared support for Confederation of West Africa eSports which, according to them it will be the only voice for esports in West Africa.

Messrs Chouman Mohamed of Togo, Diabate Ntinde Snyper of Mali, Didier Precieux of Mauritus , and Mamoudou Soumare of Senegal have all  expressed support for the formention of the regions first such institution. Mr. Baba King of Senegal said, "I hope that it will be able to build something amazing for Africa esports".

There is no doubt that the development of Confederation of West Africa eSports will have far reaching implications for the development of esports in the West African region.