HP report reveals South African youths pursue gaming careers, lack skills awareness

A new report by HP on gaming and esports has uncovered a significant gap: while many South African gaming enthusiasts are eager to turn their passion into careers, most remain unaware of available training and job opportunities.

The Managing Director for Southern and Central Africa at HP, Yesh Surjoodeen, stated that the report demonstrates strong interest in South Africa’s gaming and esports industry.

“As a company committed to accelerating digital equity, it is important for us to understand the needs of young people as we work to provide solutions like the HP Gaming Garage, a free online platform designed to help them develop skills and succeed in the growing digital economy,” Surjoodeen said.

Surjoodeen highlighted that South Africa’s esports industry, home to 26.5 million gamers, is expected to generate $26.4 million (approximately R473 million) in revenue this year, with a projected market volume of $34.9 million (over R500 million) by 2029.

Surjoodeen added that this growth positions gaming and esports as a powerful yet underutilised pathway to combat youth unemployment and drive digital innovation in the country.

The report also found that seven out of 10 respondents expressed strong interest in pursuing a gaming career, highlighting a demand for initiatives like the HP Gaming Garage to accelerate their professional development.

However, 80% cited a lack of awareness about educational programs that could prepare them for careers in gaming, media, and ICT—exposing a critical information gap despite growing enthusiasm.

Evidence of this increasing career interest was reflected in respondents’ answers: those with a strong desire to participate in a program like HP Gaming Garage were nine times more likely to pursue a gaming career and four times more likely to become game developers.

“This underscores HP’s efforts to nurture the growing interest in technology fields through accessible educational platforms that align with the aspirations of the future workforce,” Surjoodeen noted.

The report also highlights South Africa’s expanding gaming industry, which is fostering greater gender inclusivity and attracting investment.

Anticipated entry-level salaries in the gaming industry are expected to range from R10,000 to R30,000 per month (R120,000 to R360,000 per year), depending on skills and qualifications.

This aligns with South Africa’s average salary of just under R26,800 per month and far exceeds the national minimum wage of approximately R5,000 per month.

However, Surjoodeen pointed out that with an average IT sector salary of R840,000 per year, a career in technology remains a highly lucrative option.

The report underscores the urgent need to bridge the information gap around opportunities in gaming and esports while expanding access to programs that can turn interest into real career paths.

With high costs cited as a major barrier, free courses like HP Gaming Garage play a vital role in equipping aspiring professionals with the necessary education and skills.

Respondents also indicated that formal institutions must play a more active role in promoting gaming and esports careers by addressing the awareness gap.

Surjoodeen emphasised that adapting learning materials to match rising youth interest presents a unique opportunity to tap into this underdeveloped sector, which has significant potential to elevate Africa’s gaming and esports industry.

HP is collaborating with educational institutions and government agencies across the region to close the gap between enthusiasm and knowledge.

When choosing tech-related education programs, respondents prioritized Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills and technical abilities such as teamwork, problem-solving, programming, and game design.

The HP Gaming Garage Esports Management and Gaming Development Academy, launched globally in 2021, aims to prepare students for careers in gaming and esports. This initiative is part of HP’s broader commitment to accelerating digital equity for 150 million people by 2030.

The Senior Education Business Leader at HP, Mayank Dhingra, stated: “HP’s report highlights South Africans’ appetite for accessible education in this space, particularly as the country leads Africa’s esports scene. HP Gaming Garage bridges a critical gap by connecting students directly with industry experts through workshops and internship placements.”

Hosted on edX, HP Gaming Garage offers free access to 82 modules in 12 languages, including Swahili and French, with curated courses in Esports Management, Game Design, Game Programming, and Generative AI Game Development.

HP is also leading by example with this year’s GameOn with HP Gaming Garage hackathon, launched on Heritage Day.

The competition invites South African university students to apply their game development skills by designing a game that blends culture, creativity, and coding while celebrating South Africa’s rich and diverse heritage.

The top 10 teams will showcase their games at this year’s rAge Expo, the country’s premier gaming event, where three teams will be recognised as winners.