Global Game Jam and Lagos Games Week Launch Pan-African Jam 2026

Pan-African Jam 2026 puts a fresh spotlight on African game development ahead of Lagos Games Week.

Global Game Jam and Lagos Games Week have announced Pan-African Jam 2026, a new virtual game jam built around the theme “Play Without Borders.” The initiative is designed to bring developers from across Africa together to create, collaborate, and gain visibility ahead of Lagos Games Week 2026.

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The jam will run from April 24 to May 11, 2026, with winners set to be announced on May 25 after a two-week judging period. A $2,500 USD prize pool will be offered alongside in-kind prizes, with award categories including Overall Winner, Best UEFN Game, Best Tabletop Game, and Best Mobile Game.

Promotional artwork for the Pan-African Game Jam partnership between Global Game Jam and Lagos Games Week.

Organisers also plan to recognise a top game from each participating jam country, as well as a standout Inter-African team for cross-border collaboration. That gives the event a broader purpose than simply selecting one winner, with a clearer focus on spotlighting talent from across multiple regions and development backgrounds.

Participation is open to developers aged 18 and over from countries in Africa. Teams may include international members, but at least 75% of participants must reside on the African continent. Solo developers are also allowed, with registration, coordination, and submissions taking place through itch.io and Global Game Jam’s Discord.

The partnership feeds directly into the wider Lagos Games Week 2026 programme, where the winning team is expected to be highlighted and may have the chance to showcase its game if attending the event. More details are available on the official Pan-African Jam 2026 page, the Global Game Jam announcement, and the Lagos Games Week website.

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