A recent report from HP reveals a significant gap between South African youth’s strong interest in gaming careers and their lack of awareness about available educational resources and job opportunities in the sector.

The report highlights that 7 out of 10 respondents are eager to pursue careers in gaming, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for the industry.

This was contained in a statement released today and was made available to INFO DAILY.

“What is resoundingly clear from the report is that there is strong interest in SA’s gaming and esports industry and careers within it. As a company committed to accelerating digital equity, it is important for us to gain an understanding of the youth’s needs as we work to provide solutions such as the HP Gaming Garage, a free online designed to help them develop their skills and succeed in the growing digital economy” Yesh Surjoodeen, Managing Director, Southern and Central Africa at HP says.

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Home to a whopping 26.5 million gamers3, South Africa’s esports industry revenue spend is expected to reach US$26.4 million4 (approximately R473 million) in revenue this year, with a projected market volume of US$34.9m (over R500 million) by 2029.This growth positions gaming and esports as a powerful, yet underutilized pathway to combat youth unemployment and foster digital innovation in the country.

However, the study also found that 80% of respondents are unaware of educational programs that could help them develop the skills needed for roles in gaming, media, and ICT. This gap points to the urgent need for accessible educational platforms that can bridge the divide between the youth’s interest and the knowledge required to pursue these career paths.

The gaming industry in South Africa is booming, with entry-level salaries projected to range from R10,000 to R30,000 per month. This makes gaming a highly attractive career choice, especially considering the country’s high youth unemployment rate.

The report also reveals that the gaming industry is booming, with anticipated entry-level salaries ranging from R10,000 to R30,000 per month. This presents a highly attractive opportunity for young people, particularly in a country where youth unemployment remains a significant challenge.

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To address this gap, HP has launched the HP Gaming Garage, a free online platform that provides access to educational resources, workshops, and internship placements. The platform offers curated courses in esports management, game design, game programming, and Gen AI game development.

Mayank Dhingra, Senior Education Business Leader at HP, emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between enthusiasm and knowledge. “HP Gaming Garage is bridging a pivotal gap that helps students connect directly with game development and esports industry experts through workshops and internship placements.”

HP is also leading by example with this year’s GameOn with HP Gaming Garage hackathon, which invites South African university students to design a game that combines culture, creativity, and coding. The top 10 teams will have the opportunity to showcase their games at the rAge Expo, the country’s top gaming event.

The report’s findings and HP’s initiatives underscore the potential of the gaming industry to drive digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities in South Africa. By bridging the gap between enthusiasm and knowledge, HP aims to empower young people to pursue careers in the gaming industry and contribute to the country’s economic growth.