Jiwe Studios

Country: Kenya

Founded: 2020

Team Size: 10-20

Platforms: Mobile, PC, VR

Status: Active

Website: https://jiwe.studio/

Overview

Jiwe Studios is a Nairobi-based game studio, publisher, and esports organisation building story-driven games rooted in African culture and history. Founded by CEO Max Musau, the studio takes its name from the Swahili word for rock, a material with deep cultural significance across the continent. The team includes Telvin Mbau (Lead Game Developer), Marc Rigaudis (Creative Director), Kennedy Kyallo (3D Generalist), Wendi Ndaki (Writer), Charles Mabwa (Developer Outreach Coordinator), and Eugene Mweri (Head of E-Sports), among others.

Beyond game development, Jiwe operates Jiwe IO, a platform for African developers to publish and distribute their games, which recently launched its first live crowdfunding campaign for Ma3 Simulator. The studio also runs an esports division that organises tournaments and community programmes aimed at young players across East Africa.

Its flagship title, USAWA the Game, won the Mwanzo Award at the 2025 Fak'ugesi Awards and was showcased at the UK's Guildford Games Festival. The studio has worked with organisations including the US Embassy and Story Moja, and has received media coverage from outlets including Wired and CGTN.

Games

• Usoni
• Usoni II
• Usawa the Game
• Bunce Island
• Kura Yako
• Colonial Rule
• 1001 Nights in Zanzibar
• Greenprint
• Mishi & Michi
• Umoja the Game