In a landmark move to strengthen international ties in the creative and cultural industries (CCI), the French Embassy in Nigeria has sponsored a Nigerian delegation to this year’s Gamers Assembly, one of Europe’s biggest esports and video games events. 
  
The three-day event, which was held from April 19-21 in Poitiers, France, underscored the European nation’s commitment to fostering collaboration between both nations, particularly in the video games and esports sector.   
  
The delegation consisted of 14 leading video games and esports companies, with 10 delegates that showcased the vibrancy of Nigeria’s video games ecosystem while engaging with international partners. 
  
Additionally, four delegates took part in a 10-day immersive internship at the event, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in key industry disciplines such as event project management, exhibition coordination, event management, content creation, television (TV) production, and technical operations.
  
The delegates were selected from some of the country’s most innovative video games and esports companies, including 10N8E; AfricaComicade; Deluxe Creation Studios; Game Evolution Partners; Gamr; Kon10dr; Kucheza Gaming; Maliyo Games,  and Xane
Studios. 

This was alongside a professional esports player and ecosystem supporter, Infinix Nigeria. Their participation highlighted the diverse talent and entrepreneurial spirit driving the Nigerian video games industry.
   
“This is an exciting moment for the Nigerian video games industry,” said Honorary President, Association Futurolan (Gamers Assembly), Désiré Koussawo.
  
The audiovisual attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Christophe Pecot, said France has a rich history in video game development and esports, adding that the initiative would promote stronger economic and creative collaboration between both countries.
    
Founder/CEO, Kucheza Gaming, Olubukola Akignbade, said the Gamers Assembly was an invaluable platform for learning and connection, and an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in key industry areas to equip Nigerian video gaming professionals with requisite skills and relationships to drive the sector forward.