New HP Report: South African Youth Want Gaming Careers but Lack Training Awareness
Key Findings from HP’s Gaming and Esports Report
- 70% of young people in South Africa are interested in gaming and esports careers.
- 80% do not know about available training opportunities.
- The gaming industry offers well-paying jobs.
- HP Gaming Garage provides free courses in Esports Management, Game Design, Game Programming, and AI Game Development.
Gaming: A Growing Industry in South Africa
Lagos, Nigeria, 24 February 2025 – A new report by HP reveals that while many young South Africans want to build careers in gaming and esports, most are unaware of how to get the necessary skills and training.
According to Yesh Surjoodeen, HP’s Managing Director for Southern and Central Africa, “There is strong interest in gaming careers, but a big gap in awareness. At HP, we are committed to digital education and providing solutions like HP Gaming Garage to help young people succeed in the digital economy.”
With 26.5 million gamers in South Africa, the gaming industry is expected to generate $26.4 million (R473 million) in revenue this year, rising to $34.9 million (R500 million) by 2029. This makes gaming a potential solution to youth unemployment and a driver of digital innovation.
Young People Want Gaming Careers but Need More Information
- 7 out of 10 young people want to work in gaming.
- 80% do not know about educational programs in gaming, media, and technology.
- Those interested in HP Gaming Garage are 9 times more likely to pursue a gaming career and 4 times more likely to become game developers.
This shows the importance of training programs like HP Gaming Garage, which offers free education to help young people enter the gaming industry.
Gaming Offers Well-Paid Jobs
Gaming is no longer just a hobby—it’s a serious career option. In South Africa:
- Entry-level salaries range from R10,000 to R30,000 per month (R120,000 to R360,000 per year).
- The average salary is R26,800 per month, much higher than the minimum wage of R5,000 per month.
- In comparison, IT professionals earn around R840,000 per year, making tech careers highly attractive.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
The report highlights the need to inform young people about gaming careers. Many see the cost of training as a major barrier, making free courses like HP Gaming Garage essential. HP is working with schools, universities, and government agencies to close the gap between interest and opportunities.
HP Gaming Garage: Training the Next Generation of Gaming Professionals
Young people looking to enter gaming prioritize skills in teamwork, problem-solving, programming, and game design. HP Gaming Garage, launched in 2021, helps students gain these skills through free online courses.
According to Mayank Dhingra, HP’s Senior Education Business Leader, “South Africa is leading esports in Africa, and HP Gaming Garage is helping young people connect with industry experts, workshops, and internships.”
HP Gaming Garage, available on edX, provides:
- 82 free courses in 12 languages, including Swahili and French.
- Training in Esports Management, Game Design, Game Programming, and AI Game Development.
Encouraging Young Talent Through Competitions
HP is also running a GameOn hackathon, where South African university students create games based on local culture. The top 10 teams will present their games at rAge Expo, the country’s biggest gaming event. The top 3 will receive special recognition.
For more details, visit edX.
About HP
HP Inc. is a global technology leader operating in over 170 countries, offering products and services in computing, printing, gaming, and more. Visit HP.com for more information.
For media inquiries, contact:
- HP South Africa Communications – HP_SA_COMM@edelman.com
- Myroessa Metaxa, HP Middle East & Africa – myroessa.metaxa@hp.com
