Top GEOs in Africa That You Have to Try

There are three things you could watch forever: a fire burning, water flowing, and advertisers chasing after top GEO giants in the hope of striking it rich there.

The idea that a GEO popular among advertisers guarantees 100% success is a huge mistake you make right from the start, putting yourself at risk of losing your budget.

That’s exactly why today we’re talking about two African markets that will surprise you with their results, low competition, and a nice payout. Read more about the specifics of the Morocco and Nepal GEOs below. Let’s get started!

The Moroccan market—prospects for growth and a solvent target audience

Morocco is one of the most developed countries in North Africa. It boasts modern infrastructure, close ties with Europe, and a stable economy (what more could kids want to be happy?). Unlike most neighboring countries, gambling is legal here and regulated by the government. This is a major draw for operators and providers working in iGaming. 

Key Information About the GEO:

• Population: approximately 37 million people.
• Over 27 million residents use the internet.
• Average salary: approximately $2,200.
• Currency: Moroccan dirham.
• Main language: Arabic, but the use of dialects significantly improves localization effectiveness.

What should you consider when working with this market?

For several years now, Moroccan authorities have not “demonized” gambling. As we mentioned above, this sector is legal here. While the government exercises strict control over the industry through a licensing system and tax regulations, the fact remains. 

In Morocco, international operators cannot obtain a local license. However, this means almost nothing to the country’s residents, as they actively use foreign casinos and sportsbooks. This usually doesn’t create any problems for players.

What approaches should be used in advertising?

The foundation of all foundations is high-quality localization. This applies to almost every country, as a given audience will often respond more actively to something that feels “familiar.” In short, this builds greater trust in the product.

For localization, you should use:

• the Arabic language
• dialects
• images of Moroccans
• national symbols
• currency—the Moroccan dirham

Now let’s focus on the creatives themselves and their “tone.” In Morocco, creatives that showcase results—such as big wins, winners’ emotions, success stories, and significant payouts—perform well. Such themes are very appealing to Moroccans and really spark interest in the offer.

In addition, the news format works well here. Stories about big wins or the launch of a new platform come across as more natural and often generate higher engagement.

Also, don’t forget to take the country’s cultural characteristics into account. Morocco remains a conservative country with a significant influence of Islamic traditions, so restrained, tasteful creatives usually perform much better than provocative or overly explicit ads. 

Nepal: They Love Gambling Here

Nepal is a country located in South Asia amid the Himalayan Mountains. Incomes here are low, but despite this, online services and digital entertainment are very popular. That’s why Nepal can—and even should—be considered a good GEO for user acquisition.

Key information about the GEO:

• Population: approximately 31.1 million people.
• Over 51% of residents use the internet.
• Average income: approximately $165 per month.
• Currency: Nepalese rupee.
• Main language: Nepali.

As with the previous GEO, high-quality localization is crucial here. Be prepared from the start to create content in Nepali—it will perform better than, for example, content in English.

Since 2017, Nepal has had a provision in its criminal code that restricts the organization of and participation in gambling. Violations are subject to fines and other penalties. However, this mainly applies to offline casinos. Despite legal restrictions on gambling, people continue to actively play on international online platforms. They often use cryptocurrency and alternative payment services.

What approaches should you use in advertising?

Focus on major cities

First and foremost, you should target major cities, specifically:

• Kathmandu
• Dhanga
• Bhaktapur
• Surakhet
• Sirahi
• Bari

Optimization for mobile devices

Also keep in mind that most users access the internet via smartphones, so mobile optimization is a must. 

“Less detail” in creatives

Create lightweight creatives and fast-loading landing pages, as internet connection quality remains poor in many regions, so overly complex concepts will be unnecessary here.

More bonuses

Tell me, who doesn’t love bonuses?

Nepalese users actively engage with ads that mention various perks. So don’t be afraid to highlight:

• Welcome bonuses
• Free spins
• Promotions
• Loyalty programs
• And so on

This way, you’ll immediately demonstrate the value of your product and answer the question of why a player should choose your offer.

Localization

We’ve touched on this already, but it’s worth repeating. Try to include Nepali people and cultural elements familiar to your audience in your creatives. They won’t be improper and will help build trust.

In summary

It often seems that less popular GEOs won’t offer much in the way of surprises and aren’t worth your attention, money, or effort at all. But that’s a misconception. While fierce competition rages in the top regions, here you can both test various hypotheses and run full-scale campaigns at attractive prices.