Nigeria’s competitive gaming scene is gaining momentum as Cade eSports and Game Evolution have reaffirmed their strategic partnership with ambitious plans to expand eSports growth across Africa. The renewed collaboration underscores a shared vision to build a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive gaming ecosystem on the continent.
At a recent press event in Lagos, key figures from both organizations outlined their goals, emphasizing accessibility, grassroots development, and the need to support players at every level, from beginners to elite competitors. The move reflects a growing belief that Africa has the potential to be a major force in the global eSports arena.
Founded in Abuja, Nigeria, Cade eSports is an esports and technology organisation that connects gamers and communities through tournaments, events, and digital tools. From Lagos to Port Harcourt and beyond, the company has built a platform where competitive gaming experiences can be accessed by players of all skill levels.
According to its official site, Cade eSports provides:
- Major eSports tournaments and competitive events
- Aggregated verified competitions from trusted partners
- A mobile app for registering and managing gamer profiles
Community resources and gaming content for players across Nigeria and Africa
Players can take part, track live brackets, and stay updated on events all from the Cade app.
The Partnership With Game Evolution
The renewed partnership between Cade eSports and Game Evolution focuses on making competitive gaming more accessible and recognised across African communities. Both CEOs, Chima Chima Paulson (Cade eSports) and Adenipebi Sholakunmi (Game Evolution), emphasised that breaking down barriers like access to consoles, PCs, and mobile gaming is central to their strategy.
Together since 2023, the organisations have already supported more than 50 eSports tournaments across different genres and regions, a sign of how grassroots gaming culture is expanding rapidly. A key highlight has been the Cade African Gaming Expo (CAGE), recognised as one of Africa’s largest eSports events since 2024.
Sholakunmi noted that their joint efforts aim to shift public perception of gaming from a casual hobby to a career path and viable economic opportunity, by showcasing its educational, social, and professional value.
Inside the Cade eSports Tournaments
Cade eSports hosts and aggregates a variety of competitive gaming tournaments that appeal to players across genres and platforms. The organisation’s official tournament page highlights events in games such as:
- Free Fire — one of Africa’s most accessible mobile battle royale competitions
- Call of Duty Mobile — intense tactical battles for mobile players
- PUBG — large-scale battle royale tournaments
- Mortal Kombat — classic fighting game showdowns
- Virtual Chess — strategy meets competition beyond action titles
- EAFC (EA Sports FC) — one of Africa’s biggest football gaming tournaments
Players can register, track live brackets, and watch replays through the Cade platform, making the experience more connected and competitive.
One of the standout events associated with Cade is “The Cage”, a flagship tournament boasting over $20,000 in prize money and featuring top players from Nigeria and other African countries. Players in this tournament compete across multiple titles, showcasing the depth and breadth of Africa’s competitive gaming talent.
Growing Paths to International Competition
Cade’s renewed focus includes developing talent pipelines that help African players transition from local competition to global stages. Through participation in continental events and plans for future competitions abroad, standout performers could find opportunities to compete internationally, including in the United Kingdom and other regions.
The partnership also recently announced the National E-Soccer Pro League, a multi-division competitive series with prize pools in both Division 1 and Division 2. This league, streamed live on YouTube and other platforms, illustrates the growing structure and visibility of organized eSports in the region.
What This Means for African eSports
The Cade eSports and Game Evolution alliance reflects a broader trend within African gaming where organisations are stepping up to build sustainable paths for players and professionals. By offering tournaments, platforms, and community access, these organisations help nurture both competitive skill and audience engagement, critical components of a thriving eSports ecosystem.
With gaming culture rapidly expanding across Africa and internationally, these collaborations are helping to create career opportunities, community growth, and professional recognition for players and creators alike.
Are you part of an eSports community or planning to join a competition like those hosted by Cade eSports? Which tournaments or games are you most excited about, Free Fire, EAFC, PUBG, or something else? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!