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The world of gaming is one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving digital landscapes of our time. Billions of players connect each day, from all corners of the globe, on platforms that transcend traditional national and regional borders, and push the boundaries of how we understand and experience human interaction. No longer just a form of entertainment, gaming now sits at the heart of digital culture and participatory media.
In this vein, we must equally shift our perception of gaming, from a niche activity for young people to a powerful social ecosystem – one that fosters connection, shapes identities, and can, at times, create vulnerabilities that may be exploited. As the influence of gaming continues to grow, so too must our efforts to understand the dynamics of this community, harness its positive potential, and mitigate the risks associated with its misuse.
The report Level Up - Gaming and Violent Extremism in Africa, made possible through the financial support from Italy, is the product of a partnership between the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) at the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), aimed at deepening understanding of gaming-related online harms, particularly in the context of violent extremism conducive to terrorism. It builds upon the foundations laid by UNOCT in its seminal 2022 study, Examining the Intersection between Gaming and Violent Extremism, which found that while gaming itself does not cause radicalization, violent extremist actors are increasingly seeking to exploit gaming-adjacent spaces, such as chat functions, livestreams, and user-generated content, to spread propaganda and amplify their influence. Expanding on these findings, this report offers a focused, context-sensitive analysis of trends, risks, and opportunities in Africa, the world’s fastest-growing gaming community in the world. Through this lens, the report seeks to inform policy, support practitioner engagement, and catalyze cross-sector collaboration to ensure that gaming remains a force for good, and not a vector for harm.
The present study on Africa will be complemented by an additional report by UNICRI and UNOCT, focusing on Southeast Asia - home to one of the largest and most active gaming communities in the world. This second study, produced with the financial support of the Government of Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, will be released in early 2026. Together, these regional studies reflect our commitment to better understand the complex relationship between gaming and violent extremism and to explore the unique cultural and linguistic dynamics of different regions and their local gamers, developers, and gaming communities.
Gaming is here to stay, along with the vibrant communities, cultures, and connections it enables. The task ahead of us is to understand how we can best protect and harness these unique and important spaces held precious by so many, not only for safety, but also for positive social connection.
We trust that this report will serve as a meaningful step towards safeguarding gaming spaces and har-nessing their potential for peace, security, and development.
Alexandre Zouev, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, UNOCT l Leif Villadsen, Acting Director, UNICRI