L-R: Founding Director, Endless Games and Learning Lab, Arizona State University, Mark Olilla; CEO, Maliyo Games, Hugo Obi and Assistant Director, Endless Games and Learning Lab, Arizona State University, Bola Akinrolabu, during a media interaction to discuss the partnership between Maliyo games and Arizona State University, held in Lagos
Maliyo Games, a leading African game development studio known for building African-inspired games and developing talent, has announced a partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), a globally-recognised leader in innovation and digital learning, to advance game development education and upskill African talent through artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum.
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, representatives from Arizona State University, United States, visited Maliyo Games in Lagos, Nigeria, where they engaged with trainers and learners, explored expansion opportunities, and gained deeper insight into the local African gaming ecosystem.
The visit reinforced a shared commitment to building learning solutions that are both globally relevant and locally impactful.
Through offering micro-credentials to learners who complete its practical training programme, the programme equips talents with industry-relevant skills and real-world experience in game development and AI.
This is a joint venture between Maliyo Games through its GameUp Africa training initiative and Arizona State University through the Endless Games and Learning Lab.
At the core of the collaboration is a micro-credential framework that enables learners to earn Arizona State University certifications while building practical market ready skills.
These credentials are designed to be flexible and stackable, allowing participants to progress at their own pace while staying aligned with global workforce demands.
Since its initial rollout in early 2026, the programme has successfully delivered over 150 micro-credentials to the first cohort of GameUp Africa’s graduates, with each learner earning a certificate and badge issued directly by Arizona State University, demonstrating early impact and strong potential for scale.
Founding Director, Endless Games and Learning Lab, Arizona State University, Mark Olilla, enthuses: “This marks a new phase in game development, and we are genuinely excited to be building it with Maliyo Games and the GameUp Africa community. The talent we encountered here, the drive and creativity of these developers, confirmed everything we hoped this partnership could deliver. We are looking forward to what comes next.”
Affirming the significance of the partnership, CEO, Maliyo Games, Hugo Obi, emphasises: “This partnership reflects our commitment to building and nurturing talent within Africa’s growing gaming ecosystem. By combining structured learning, community, and access to tools, we are creating opportunities for young people to thrive in game development and beyond.”
Commenting on how the partnership impacts, Elite Participant 2025, Ibrahim Karl, who is a recipient of micro-credential and certification from Endless Games and Learning Lab at Arizona State University, states: “I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with three different teams made up of talented developers, artists, and audio engineers from across Africa. Each team brought its own rhythm, creativity, and approach to problem-solving, and learning to adapt to those dynamics was one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
“Together, we worked on live service features and published games, which was incredibly rewarding. I’m proud to have earned a micro-credential and certification from the Endless Games and Learning Lab at Arizona State University in recognition of this work.”
Hugo Obi further adds that, building on this momentum, the partnership is set to expand over the next few years, aiming to train and certify 10,000 learners across Africa in both AI and game development. “Maliyo Games will support this growth by providing a curriculum, programming and physical hub equipped with infrastructure, tools, as well as an active and thriving community, creating an enabling environment for continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation,” he discloses.
Africa’s gaming industry is on a significant growth trajectory, projected to surpass $5 billion by 2030.
With the continent’s young, digitally native population driving both consumption and creation, the demand for skilled, AI-literate game developers has never been greater.
As the partnership continues to evolve, both organisations remain focused on scaling impact, deepening learning outcomes, and unlocking new opportunities for African talent in the global gaming industry.
