Maximus Ametorgoh, vice president of the Esports Association Ghana and founder and CEO of eSports Academy, is urging the government to develop a national policy framework for eSports, arguing that regulatory clarity could attract corporate investment and accelerate growth in one of Ghana’s emerging digital entertainment sectors.
Speaking on the High Street Talk, Ametorgoh said the absence of a formal national policy has slowed the development of Ghana’s eSports ecosystem despite growing participation among young people, universities, and private gaming communities.
“For me, I think government must come out first with a policy,” he said. “Then corporate will say, ‘Okay, there’s a policy for this particular sector.’ These are the opportunities.”
According to Ametorgorh, clearer regulation and government backing would encourage companies to sponsor tournaments, gaming infrastructure, and talent development programs, similar to trends seen in markets such as Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and New Zealand.
The comments come as African countries increasingly explore opportunities in gaming, digital sports, and immersive technologies as part of broader digital economy strategies targeting youth employment and technology-driven growth.
Ametorgoh, who also serves as vice president of the Esports Association Ghana, said Ghana’s industry has expanded steadily over the past decade through grassroots competitions and university-based gaming clubs.
The association has helped establish about 18 university eSports clubs and oversees a network of roughly 36 registered gaming teams, he said. Ghanaian players also compete internationally through qualifiers organized by the association, including participation in global football gaming tournaments and events in Dubai.
He said Ghana already has a national e-football team, known as the Black Asteroids, with some players competing in international electronic football competitions linked to global titles such as FC and eFootball.
Despite that progress, Ametorgorh said uncertainty over institutional oversight continues to limit industry expansion.
“The placement has been a challenge all these years because there’s no national policy,” he said.
He noted that countries classify eSports differently, with some treating it as recreation, education, or sports development. In Ghana, the sector currently falls under the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the National Sports Authority.
Ametorgoh argued that stronger policy support could also help position eSports as a tool for education, digital skills development, and technology training.
He cited examples of countries using gaming platforms and virtual reality systems to teach engineering, science, and business management, while South Africa has introduced educational programs around Microsoft’s Minecraft platform for primary school students. “We need to move on,” he said. “We can’t continue in our old ways.”
The entrepreneur also called for lower import taxes on gaming hardware and partnerships with console manufacturers such as Sony to improve affordability and access to gaming equipment.
He said hardware costs remain one of the biggest barriers to wider participation, particularly as gaming consoles priced around $300 can cost several thousand Ghana cedis after taxes and currency conversion.
Ametorgoh pointed to growing international corporate involvement in eSports, with brands ranging from automotive companies to energy firms sponsoring tournaments and national teams abroad.
“In fact, outside this country, to the point that even condom brands are sponsoring eSports competitions,” he said.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the largest global investors in the sector, with the kingdom hosting international competitions and investing heavily in gaming infrastructure as part of its diversification strategy.
Ametorgoh said Ghana risks missing economic and technological opportunities unless policymakers move more quickly to support the industry.
“We have the people here,” he said. “We just need somebody to consolidate the space, and government should be able to lead that.”
