Google features six African and Middle East studios in 2025 WeArePlay showcase

Google has spotlighted five African studios and one Middle East company as part of its 2025 WeArePlay campaign. 

The initiative celebrates the people and teams building apps and games on Google Play that entertain and educate millions of users worldwide.

Maliyo Games 

This year’s selection includes Nigeria’s Maliyo Games, founded by Hugo Obi after returning home from a finance career in the UK. Maliyo employs 30 people creating titles rooted in African stories, including Safari City, inspired by Lagos architecture.

The team is currently working towards reaching one million downloads with its latest title Safari City ahead of MaliyoCON next month. 

Check out Safari City here. 

Deluxe Creation Studios 

Also featured is Edu Shola's Deluxe Creation Studio, the nine-person team behind Stickman Fight and Stickman Fight 2. The studio has released more than 20 titles and is now expanding its multiplayer offerings.

“When I find people who are a good fit for our company culture, I guide and train them - and together we’re building the future of gaming in Africa," said Deluxe Creation CEO Edu Shola. 

Check out the team's releases here. 

Yuyuto Games 

Founded by Yusuf Emre Efe, Yağmur Gömürlü, Tolgahan Irfan Erdogan and Yusuf Demir, Türkiye-based Yuyuto Games is the seven-person team behind Ticarium Business Tycoon, a simulation game that teaches financial literacy through play.

Now available in over 30 countries, it is inspiring a new generation of financially savvy players as founders prepare to launch new titles and scale globally.

Get the game here. 

Leti Arts

Founded by Eyram Tawia and Kenya’s Wesley Kirinya, Ghana’s Leti Arts was also spotlighted as one of the key leaders in the African games industry. The 20-person studio pushes to preserve African culture through games like Africa’s Legends and many others. 

“We're passionate about preserving African stories and telling them in a gaming format, because that is what I grew up with," said Leti Arts co-founder Eyram Tawia. “Why can't we learn about our rich African stories through games and comics?"

Find their games here. 

Kiroo Games

Cameroon’s Kiroo Games, one of the region's most successful game studios employing 24 people, joins the lineup with Aurion, its African fantasy RPG exploring political themes through manga-inspired storytelling. 

"The game is symbolic of our generation's journey in Cameroon," said Kiroo Games founder Olivier Madiba. “It's about discovering where Africa fits into the world and the role it can play geopolitically."

Check out the game here.

AfriLearn 

Education also takes centre stage with Afrilearn, run by Gabriel Olatunji Legend and Isaac Oladipupo.

With a ten-person team, the platform blends storytelling, animation, and AI to offer gamified learning aligned with West African curricula. 

Check out AfriLearn here.