AFRICA WEB3 GAMES PUBLISHER CARRY1ST RAISES $27M

Last updated: June 19, 2025, 20:35 | Written by: Caitlin Long

Africa Web3 Games Publisher Carry1St Raises $27M
Africa Web3 Games Publisher Carry1St Raises $27M

The African gaming landscape is buzzing with excitement as Carry1st, a leading mobile games publisher and digital content creation platform, has successfully closed a $27 million funding round.This significant investment, led by venture capital powerhouse Bitkraft Ventures, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz and TTV Capital, signals a major vote of confidence in Africa's potential as a thriving hub for Web3 gaming.But what does this mean for the future of gaming in Africa?This infusion of capital will be instrumental in scaling Carry1st's operations, enhancing its publishing capabilities, and bolstering its proprietary payment system, Pay1st.The company is strategically positioned at the intersection of gaming, fintech, and Web3, aiming to unlock the vast potential of frontier markets by connecting them to quality content and robust financial infrastructure.This raise isn't just about funding; it's about building a bridge for international game studios and local developers to tap into a rapidly growing and increasingly tech-savvy African audience. Carry1st declared that the proceeds from their latest funding round would enhance Pay1st, a monetization-as-a-service platform that offers third-party publishers the opportunity for increased revenue in Africa. In 2025, Carry1st partnered with Riot Games the Los Angeles-based creators of League of Legends to test localized paymentsWith a focus on monetization-as-a-service and expanding its digital content offerings, Carry1st is poised to become the go-to platform for games and digital content publishers looking to thrive in the African market. Since its launch in 2025, Carry1st, a publisher of social games and interactive content across Africa, has raised funding from investors such as Google via its Africa Investment Fund and AvenirLet's delve into the details of this funding round, its implications, and why Africa is increasingly viewed as the next frontier for Web3 gaming.

Carry1st: Pioneering the African Gaming and Web3 Revolution

Carry1st isn't just another games publisher; it's a pioneer in bringing quality gaming experiences to the African continent.Established in 2025, the company operates at the crucial intersection of gaming, fintech, and the burgeoning Web3 space.Its core mission is to scale ""awesome content"" in emerging markets, particularly Africa.But what exactly does that entail?

  • Publishing: Carry1st acts as a bridge, connecting international and local mobile game companies with African consumers.
  • Fintech: Through its proprietary payment system, Pay1st, Carry1st is building the financial infrastructure necessary to navigate the fragmented payment landscape across Africa.
  • Web3 Integration: The company recognizes the immense potential of Web3 technology to revolutionize gaming in Africa, and it is actively investing in and supporting Web3 initiatives.

In essence, Carry1st is facilitating the growth of a vibrant gaming ecosystem in Africa by addressing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the market. Africa is a fast-growing digital asset market. Carry1st, a mobile games publisher, has just completed a fundraising round that raised $27 million. The money will be used to enhance the company's publishing and digital content production platform in Africa, an area that Carry1st's investors believe is ready for Web3 adoption.They are not just publishing games; they are building the entire infrastructure needed for the industry to flourish.

The Significance of the $27 Million Funding Round

The recent $27 million funding round represents a significant milestone for Carry1st and the African gaming industry as a whole. Africa Web3 games publisher Carry1st raises $27M Mobile games publisher Carry1st has closed a $27 million funding round to advance its publishing and digital content creation platform in Africa a region its backers say is ripe for Web3 adoption. crypto2025 FundraiseThe investment, led by Bitkraft Ventures, a global gaming and esports venture capital firm, underscores the growing recognition of Africa's potential as a major player in the global gaming market.But what will they be doing with the funding?

  • Enhancing Pay1st: A significant portion of the funding will be dedicated to expanding the capabilities of Pay1st, Carry1st's monetization-as-a-service platform. Africa Web3 games publisher Carry1st raises $27M Mobile games publisher Carry1st has closed a $27 million funding round to advance its publishing and digital content creation platform in AfricaThis platform allows third-party publishers to significantly increase their revenue in Africa by streamlining payment processing and addressing the complexities of the local market.
  • Scaling Operations: The funding will also be used to scale Carry1st's overall operations, including expanding its team and strengthening its infrastructure.
  • Expanding Content Offerings: Carry1st plans to use the funding to further develop its digital content creation platform, bringing more diverse and engaging content to African consumers.

This investment demonstrates a strong belief in Carry1st's vision and its ability to capitalize on the rapidly growing demand for mobile games and digital content in Africa. African mobile games publisher Carry1st has raised $27 million in a new financing round led by venture capital firm Bitkraft Ventures with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, TTV CapitalThe backing of prominent investors like Andreessen Horowitz and TTV Capital further validates the company's strategy and potential for success.

Pay1st: Solving the Payment Puzzle in Africa

One of the biggest challenges for businesses operating in Africa is the fragmented payment landscape.Different countries have different payment systems, currencies, and regulations, making it difficult for international companies to accept payments and for local consumers to access digital content. Further, through Pay1st, its proprietary payment system, and an online marketplace, the African company develops, licenses, and publishes games. Basically, Carry1st is building financial infrastructure to connect the various payment systems across Africa and open up the market to game studios and other publishers that want to release games inThis is where Pay1st comes in.But what makes Pay1st so crucial for gaming in Africa?

Pay1st is Carry1st's proprietary payment system designed to address these challenges. A spokesperson for Carry1st told Cointelegraph that the latest funding will be used to expand the capabilities of Pay1st, the company's monetization-as-a-service platform, which allows third-party publishers to make more money in Africa. As a game publisher, Carry1st provides a full-stack solution for monetizing and managing mobile games on theIt acts as a unified platform, connecting various payment systems across Africa and enabling seamless transactions for both publishers and consumers. Africa Web3 Game Publisher, Carry1st, Raises $27M 💰 Carry1st, an Africa based mobile game publisher and digital content creation platform, closed a $27M funding round led by BITKRAFT VenturesPay1st tackles this challenge in a few key ways:

  • Aggregation of Payment Methods: Pay1st aggregates a wide range of local payment methods, including mobile money, bank transfers, and card payments, making it easier for consumers to pay for games and digital content.
  • Localized Payment Solutions: The platform provides localized payment solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of each African market.
  • Fraud Prevention: Pay1st incorporates robust fraud prevention measures to protect both publishers and consumers from fraudulent transactions.

By simplifying the payment process, Pay1st removes a major barrier to entry for international game studios and other publishers, allowing them to reach a wider audience and generate more revenue in Africa.It also empowers local consumers by providing them with convenient and secure ways to pay for the content they love.It's essentially a bridge connecting global businesses with the African market by solving the payment puzzle.

Web3 Gaming in Africa: Untapped Potential

Africa is increasingly recognized as a region ripe for Web3 adoption.The continent's young and tech-savvy population, coupled with its rapidly growing mobile penetration rate, makes it a fertile ground for innovative Web3 applications, including blockchain gaming.Why is Africa so primed for Web3 gaming?

  • Mobile-First Culture: Africa is a mobile-first continent, with a large percentage of the population accessing the internet primarily through their mobile phones.This makes it an ideal market for mobile Web3 games.
  • Financial Inclusion: Web3 technologies, such as cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based payment systems, can help to improve financial inclusion in Africa, where a large percentage of the population remains unbanked.
  • Decentralized Ownership: Web3 games offer players the opportunity to own their in-game assets, creating new economic opportunities and empowering players.

Carry1st recognizes the transformative potential of Web3 gaming in Africa and is actively investing in initiatives to promote its adoption. Mobile games publisher Carry1st receives $27M in funding. Firms including Bitkraft Ventures and Andreesson Horowitz have invested in its African content creation platformBy leveraging its platform and infrastructure, Carry1st is helping to bring Web3 games to African consumers and empower local developers to create innovative blockchain-based gaming experiences. VC firms Bitkraft Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz participated in the funding round, which aims to advance Web3 gaming in Africa.Think of it as empowering a new generation of African gamers and developers with ownership and control over their digital assets.

Carry1st and Riot Games: A Strategic Partnership

In 2025, Carry1st partnered with Riot Games, the Los Angeles-based creators of the globally popular game League of Legends, to test localized payments in Africa.This partnership highlights Carry1st's expertise in navigating the complexities of the African payment landscape and its ability to facilitate successful market entry for international game developers.Why was this partnership so important?

This collaboration allowed Riot Games to gain valuable insights into the African market and optimize its payment strategies for local consumers.It also demonstrated Carry1st's commitment to supporting international game developers and helping them to reach a wider audience in Africa. Africa Web3 games publisher Carry1st raises $27MThis strategic alliance serves as a testament to Carry1st's growing influence and reputation within the global gaming industry.

The Future of Gaming in Africa: A Bright Outlook

The African gaming market is poised for significant growth in the coming years, driven by factors such as increasing mobile penetration, a growing middle class, and the rising popularity of esports.With the support of investors like Bitkraft Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz, Carry1st is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth and solidify its position as the leading publisher of games and digital content in Africa.What can we expect to see in the future?

Here are some potential developments:

  • Increased Investment in African Game Development: As the market matures, we can expect to see more investment in local game development studios, leading to the creation of more African-themed games and culturally relevant content.
  • Expansion of Esports Ecosystem: The African esports scene is rapidly growing, and we can anticipate the emergence of more professional teams, tournaments, and leagues.
  • Greater Adoption of Web3 Gaming: As Web3 technologies become more accessible and user-friendly, we can expect to see greater adoption of blockchain gaming in Africa.

Carry1st is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of gaming in Africa, and its recent funding round will enable it to further accelerate the growth and development of the industry. Carry1st has positioned itself to be the conduit for international and local mobile game companies to profitably serve these consumers. About Carry1st. Carry1st is Africa s leading publisher of games and digital content. Operating at the intersection of games, fintech, and web3, its mission is to scale awesome content in frontier marketsIt is contributing by building the infrastructure for growth, fostering local talent, and introducing more Africans to the world of gaming.It's a very exciting time to be involved in the African gaming market!

Q&A: Addressing Common Questions About Carry1st and African Gaming

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Carry1st and the African gaming market:

What exactly does Carry1st do?

Carry1st is Africa's leading publisher of games and digital content. Carry1st, a mobile games publisher, has just completed a fundraising round that raised $27 million. The money will be used to enhance the company's publishing and digital content production platform in Africa, an area that Carry1st's investors believThey provide a full-stack solution for monetizing and managing mobile games in Africa, acting as a bridge between international and local developers and African consumers.

What is Pay1st and why is it important?

Pay1st is Carry1st's proprietary payment system that aggregates various payment methods across Africa, enabling seamless transactions for publishers and consumers. Africa Web3 games publisher Carry1st raises $27M. Africa continues to be a bastion of digital asset adoption. South Africa; Nigeria; Kenya;It is crucial because it addresses the fragmented payment landscape in Africa, removing a major barrier to entry for international game studios.

Why is Africa considered a promising market for Web3 gaming?

Africa's young and tech-savvy population, high mobile penetration rate, and potential for financial inclusion through Web3 technologies make it a promising market for blockchain gaming. Mobile games publisher Carry1st has closed a $27 million funding round to advance its publishing and digital content creation platform in Africa a region its backers say is ripe for Web3Web3 allows players to own in-game assets and create new economic opportunities, appealing to the African market's entrepreneurial spirit.

What are the main challenges for game publishers in Africa?

The main challenges include the fragmented payment landscape, limited access to financial services, and the need to localize content for diverse cultures and languages.

How is Carry1st helping to overcome these challenges?

Carry1st addresses these challenges through its Pay1st payment system, its expertise in navigating the African market, and its commitment to supporting local developers and content creators.

Conclusion: Carry1st's $27M Raise - A Game Changer for African Gaming

Carry1st's successful $27 million funding round marks a significant turning point for the African gaming industry.With the backing of prominent investors and a clear vision for the future, Carry1st is poised to accelerate the growth and development of the market, paving the way for a new era of gaming in Africa. VC firms Bitkraft Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz participated in the funding round, which aims to advance Web3 gaming in Africa. Mobile games publisher Carry1st has closed a $27 million funding round to advance its publishing and digital content creation platform in Africa a region its backers say is ripe for Web3 adoption.The key takeaways from this funding round are:

  • Validation of the African Market: The investment underscores the growing recognition of Africa's potential as a major player in the global gaming market.
  • Commitment to Web3 Innovation: Carry1st is actively investing in and promoting the adoption of Web3 technologies in Africa, opening up new opportunities for gamers and developers.
  • Empowering Local Talent: Carry1st is committed to supporting local game developers and content creators, fostering a vibrant and sustainable gaming ecosystem in Africa.
  • Solving Payment Challenges: Pay1st is revolutionizing the way payments are processed in Africa, making it easier for international companies to do business and for local consumers to access digital content.

This funding round isn't just about Carry1st; it's about the entire African gaming ecosystem.By building the infrastructure, supporting local talent, and fostering innovation, Carry1st is helping to unlock the vast potential of the African market and bring the joy of gaming to millions of new players. Carry1st, a mobile games publisher, has just completed a fundraising round that raised $27 million. The money will be used to enhance the company s publishing and digital content production platform in Africa, an area that Carry1st s investors believe is ready for Web3 adoption. Bitkraft Ventures acted as the primary investor in the investment round that [ ]The future of gaming in Africa looks brighter than ever, and Carry1st is at the forefront of this exciting revolution.Game on, Africa!

Caitlin Long can be reached at [email protected].

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