• Nigeria's gaming startup scene is much bigger than most people realise, with founders building everything from AI games to esports platforms and blockchain gaming
• While dozens of startups exist, only a handful have publicly disclosed funding, leaving many still bootstrapping their growth
• From Metaverse Magna to Beyond Services, here's who has secured investor backing, and who's still building on grit

If you think Nigeria's gaming industry is just about people grinding EA FC, PUBG Mobile, or Call of Duty after work, think again.

Behind the scenes, a new generation of startups is building gaming studios, esports platforms, blockchain games, gaming communities and creator tools. But here's the real question: who actually has investor money behind them, and who's still building on hustle alone?

Gaming is quietly becoming one of Nigeria's fastest-growing digital industries.

Young Nigerians aren't just playing games anymore, they're organising tournaments, building studios, launching Web3 games, creating gaming content and attracting investors from around the world.

Still, public funding information remains surprisingly limited.

Below are 11 Nigerian gaming-tech startups making waves and what is publicly known about their funding.

Editor's note: Funding information below is based on publicly disclosed announcements only. Companies may have undisclosed investments.

11 Nigerian gaming-tech startups

1. Beyond Services

One of the more ambitious startups on the list, Beyond Services is building a mobile game centred on persistent digital identity and digital asset ownership.

The company has raised funding from Exponential Science and Hashgraph Association.

2. Metaverse Magna (MVM)

If one company has put Nigerian gaming on the global investment map, it's Metaverse Magna.

Founded in 2021, the Lagos-based startup combines esports, blockchain and social gaming, giving African gamers opportunities to play, compete and earn rewards.

MVM has raised a multi-million-dollar seed round.

Investors reportedly include Pantera Capital, BITKRAFT Ventures, Polygon Studios, Lattice Capital, Wemade, Tess Ventures, Taureon, and others.

3. eSportcave

eSportcave has become one of Nigeria's most recognised esports brands.

It runs gaming arenas, tournaments and community events while helping competitive gaming grow locally.

Although no major public venture funding has been announced, the company appears to have expanded mainly through partnerships, sponsorships and business revenue.

4. Maliyo Games

If you've ever seen Nigerian-themed mobile games, chances are you've come across Maliyo.

The studio develops African-inspired educational and casual games.

Maliyo Games has benefited from accelerator programmes and grants, though no large venture funding round has been publicly disclosed.

5. ChopUp

ChopUp was among Nigeria's earliest mobile game studios. It focused on creating African-themed games long before local gaming became trendy.

No publicly disclosed venture funding has been announced.

6. Gamr Africa

Gamr Africa focuses on gaming communities, esports competitions and creator engagement.

The platform continues building one of Nigeria's growing competitive gaming ecosystems.

Like ChopUp, no publicly announced institutional funding has been disclosed.

7. Kucheza Gaming

Kucheza is helping introduce gaming and esports to schools and young audiences. It combines education with competitive gaming.

The company has participated in innovation programmes, but no major public funding round has been announced.

8. GamrX Africa

GamrX Africa connects gamers through tournaments, digital events and esports experiences.

Its focus is growing gaming participation across African communities.

They have not publicly disclosed any venture investment.

9. Africacomicade

Africacomicade supports African game developers through showcases, networking and industry development.

Rather than building one game, it helps build the ecosystem.

Operations have been supported through partnerships, grants and ecosystem programmes rather than publicly announced VC funding.

10. Carry1st

Some people may argue Carry1st isn't "strictly Nigerian" because it operates across Africa.

But its presence, hiring and operations have made it one of the continent's biggest gaming companies to watch.

Carry1st has raised more than $50 million across multiple funding rounds and remains one of Africa's largest venture-backed gaming companies.

Investors include Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), BITKRAFT Ventures, Google and other global investors.

11. Triads Entertainment

Based in Abeokuta, Triads Entertainment focuses on esports talent management, tournaments and gaming communities.

It raised approximately $100,000 from The Higher Intelligence Technology Systems Limited.

Other gaming startups

Nigeria's gaming ecosystem extends beyond these startups.

Other notable names include: TC Companies, 13. COFI, Publiseer, Massive Hoof Interactive, Noxware LLC, ET Studios, Solve Education! NG, JUJU GAMES, JumpKick Studios, Smart Open Network, Millenia Studio Inc., 50:50 The Platform, Selvic Games, Deluxe Creation Studios, and TheTrybeCo.

Nigeria's gaming ecosystem is still in its early innings.

Unlike fintech, where funding rounds make headlines almost every month, gaming founders are often building quietly, using grants, competitions, customer revenue and small angel investments to keep moving.

Yet the ingredients are there: Africa has one of the world's youngest populations, smartphone adoption continues to rise, and interest in esports, AI-powered gaming and locally inspired stories is growing.

If more investors begin paying attention, today's small studios could become tomorrow's breakout African gaming companies.

One thing is already clear: Nigeria isn't just producing gamers anymore, it is producing gaming companies.

10 legit gaming side hustles Nigerians are using to make extra money

Earlier, TheRadar reported that young Nigerian gamers are turning gaming into real side income without being a professional esports player.

There are several gaming side hustles both for active gamers and people working around the gaming industry to earn extra income from their phones, consoles, and PCs

TheRadar has compiled a list of 10 gaming side hustles that you can look into as a Nigerian gamer. Some require skill, others require consistency and one of them barely requires you to play games at all.