About Sports Betting East Africa+ 2026
Sports Betting East Africa+ 2026 returns to Nairobi, Kenya, for its 11th annual edition on April 22-24. The summit brings together bookmakers, regulators, technology providers, and investors for 3 days of conference sessions and exhibition networking. SBEA focuses on the fast-growth regional markets in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. The event covers critical licensing regulations, mobile money integration, marketing strategies, and compliance requirements. The summit includes a welcome reception on April 22, two full conference days with a parallel exhibition, and the SBEA+ Awards ceremony.
Why Attend Sports Betting East Africa 2026
The summit in Nairobi offers specific opportunities for all attendees from around the globe:
- Market access to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and other East African territories with millions of mobile users;
- Meetings with regulators from the Betting Control & Licensing Board of Kenya, Gaming Board of Tanzania, and other government authorities;
- Partnership deals with local companies that control distribution channels and customer bases across the region;
- Mobile money integration knowledge covering M-Pesa, Tigopesa, MTN Mobile Money, and 10+ payment systems critical for East African transactions;
- Insight into betting trends specific to East Africa, including sports preferences, stake sizes, and user behavior patterns;
- Investment opportunities with local operators and startups seeking capital to scale operations;
- Networking access to 200+ decision-makers at Sports Betting East Africa during 3 days of conferences and receptions.
Who Should Attend
The 11th annual summit in Nairobi connects bookmakers, regulators, and service providers. Each attendee type finds practical value tailored to their specific business needs in East African betting markets.
- Online sportsbooks: Meet regulators from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda to discuss licensing and compliance requirements;
- Payment service providers: Present mobile money solutions like M-Pesa to operators who need reliable local payment integration;
- Technology and software providers: Demonstrate platforms built for low-bandwidth conditions and connect with operators planning market entry;
- Marketing agencies: Learn compliant advertising tactics and connect with brands that need local expertise and partnerships;
- Legal and consulting firms: Advise international operators on tax structures, licensing procedures, and compliance in regional markets;
- Financial investors: Assess opportunities and meet operators seeking funding in this high-growth betting sector;
- Industry professionals: Gain actionable insights at Sports Betting East Africa and network with decision-makers across categories.
Key Themes for Global Participants
The summit brings practical business themes to life for international participants and solution providers who attend:
- Integrate M-Pesa, Tigopesa, and MTN Mobile Money to enable instant deposits and withdrawals with low transaction costs for end users;
- Build marketing campaigns that work within advertising restrictions through local football team sponsorships and influencer partnerships in the region;
- Configure systems to perform well in low-bandwidth environments where internet speeds average below 10 Mbps in many populated areas;
- Deploy analytics tools to track player activity and segment customers based on behavior patterns and revenue contribution to operations;
- Study licensing rules in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda before you launch operations in each specific market;
- Partner with local payment processors to reduce costs and improve transaction speed for customers.
Conference Agenda Highlights
The two-day conference program at Sports Betting East Africa is split into focused sessions covering the full business cycle. Below is a breakdown of the main agenda blocks scheduled for the three days.
| Day | Date | Morning Sessions | Afternoon Sessions | Evening Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | April 22 2026 | – | – | Welcome evening reception with informal networking sessions for all 3-day ticket holders |
| Day 2 | April 23 2026 | Regulation updates from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda authorities, marketing strategies under advertising bans, and influencer partnerships | Mobile money integration with M-Pesa, Tigopesa, and MTN, payment processing, and technology platform selection for low bandwidth | Pre-drinks at 17:00, Awards Ceremony and Dinner at 18:00 |
| Day 3 | April 24 2026 | Operator launches case studies, market entry tactics, and scaling strategies across East African territories | Success stories and failure analysis, data-driven decisions, and compliance technology | Conference ends at 16:00, farewell drinks at 16:15 |
Speakers and Industry Representation
The speakers at SBEA+ 2026 cover the entire industry from start to finish. People from six important areas discuss rules, operations, laws, payments, tech, and marketing strategies:
- Bookmakers – Local and international betting firms such as ProSport Africa, KiwiBet, and Parimatch Tanzania talk about how to enter the market and the challenges they face in growing their operations;
- Representatives from Kenya’s Betting Control Board, Tanzania Gaming Board, and LONASE Senegal explain the steps for getting licenses, the rules to follow, and the latest policy changes;
- Legal/Consulting – There are seven law firms and consulting groups, such as Mwenje & Karanja and Betconsult. Africa: offer advice on contracts, following rules, and managing risks;
- Payment providers like Siru Mobile, Centbee, and Bank of Africa Tanzania offer mobile money integration, quick payouts, and different fee options;
- Technology – Companies like ComplyGuard and PlayCo help with software tweaks, finding ways to work on low bandwidth, and automating compliance;
- Marketing – Agencies like Suss Ads and affiliate managers from DBbet discuss ways to attract customers while following advertising rules.
Ticket Options and Pricing
The event has two registration passes available for the 11th annual summit. Pricing depends on where the participants are located, with different rates for international, African, and Kenyan attendees.
| Pass Type | 2-Day Ticket | 3-Day Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| International Rate | 995 € | 1,395 € |
| African Rate | 795 € | 1,195 € |
| Kenyan Rate | 595 € | 995 € |
| Dates Covered | April 23-24, 2026 | April 22-24, 2026 |
| Welcome Reception | Not included | Included April 22 evening |
| Conference Access | Both days have full access | All days have full access |
| Daily Meals | Lunches and coffee breaks | Lunches and coffee breaks |
| Networking | Standard access | All formats available |
| Awards Dinner | Included | Included |
| Farewell Drinks | Included | Included |
Networking and Business Opportunities
Sports Betting East Africa offers different ways for attendees to meet with regulators, bookmakers, and tech providers:
- Join for the welcome reception on April 22, 2026, where you can connect with industry folks and start building relationships in a laid-back setting.
- Check out the exhibition floor on April 23-24, 2026, to find payment providers and tech vendors for your business.
- Join the awards dinner on April 23, 2026, at 18:00. It’s a great chance to connect with local operators and celebrate what we’ve achieved in the industry.
- Participate in pre-drinks at 17: Join us for drinks at 17:00 on April 23, 2026, to meet the conference speakers before the awards ceremony.
- Attend farewell drinks on April 24, 2026, at 16:15. It’ll be a good chance to share contact info and wrap up any business talks.
Travel Tips for Nairobi Attendees
Delegates from around the world looking to join the conference will need useful info to get ready for their trip to Kenya’s capital:
- Book early: Hotels get booked fast during conference season, so make sure to secure your stay 2-3 months ahead of time;
- Airport transfer: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is about 18 km from downtown Nairobi, and a taxi ride usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes;
- Venue proximity: Most 4-5 star business hotels either offer shuttle services or are just 10-15 minutes away from conference sites;
- Mobile connectivity: Grab a local SIM card from Safaricom or Airtel at the airport to get dependable 4G data coverage;
- Dress code: For conference days, smart business casual is a good choice, and for the awards dinner on April 23, formal attire is best.
FAQ
What is SBEA+?
Sports Betting East Africa+ is a yearly event that brings together people from the local and international sports betting and iGaming scenes. The 11th edition is in Nairobi, Kenya, from April 22 to 24, 2026, bringing together bookmakers, regulators, and tech providers from around the area.
Who is the event for?
Sports betting in East Africa draws in bookmakers, payment companies, software makers, marketing firms, government officials, investors, and legal advisors. There are also risk and compliance specialists and financial institutions.
How much do SBEA+ 2026 tickets cost?
Tickets for two days cost €595 for people from Kenya and €995 for those coming from abroad, while attendees from other African countries pay €795. Three-day passes begin at €995 for delegates from Kenya and go up to €1,395 for those coming from abroad. African visitors pay €1,195 for full access to the three-day summit.
Is the conference suitable for international companies?
Yes, Sports Betting East Africa focuses on international brands looking to break into or grow in East African markets. The summit provides content in English and a good representation from the region.