Founded in 2018, Carry1st caters to the burgeoning African smartphone gaming market, boasting millions of users across the region.

The company has partnered with industry giants like Activision, Supercell, and Riot Games to scale popular titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and Valorant, while also developing its own games like Africa Glam and Mancala Adventures.

To enhance monetization, Carry1st established a proprietary payments platform and online marketplace.

This latest investment adds Sony to Carry1st’s already impressive roster of backers, including Andreessen Horowitz, BITKRAFT, Google, Riot Games, and Nas.

The Sony Innovation Fund: Africa, launched in late 2023 with an initial allocation of US$10 million, aims to support the growth of entertainment ventures across Africa, encompassing gaming, music, film, and content distribution.

While the specific amount invested in Carry1st remains undisclosed, it signifies Sony’s commitment to the African gaming market’s immense potential.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Sony Innovation Fund: Africa,” said Cordel Robbin-Coker, CEO and co-founder of Carry1st.

“This partnership will fuel Carry1st’s mission to shape the future of African gaming. We believe the console market in Africa holds massive, untapped potential, and Sony’s expertise in gaming and entertainment perfectly complements our regional strengths. Together, we aim to bring the best games to players across the continent.”