Choplife Gaming, the African gaming operator founded by Nigerian Afrobeats star and entrepreneur Oluwatosin “Mr Eazi” Ajibade, has secured regulatory approval to launch its betPawa platform in Mali, marking a strategic push into Francophone West Africa.

The approval from PMU Mali, the state gaming regulator, positions the company to tap into one of the region’s fastest-emerging digital entertainment markets, where mobile-first consumption is rapidly reshaping consumer behavior.

Mobile-first betting strategy targets youth market

The Mali rollout will include sports betting, online casino offerings, and instant gaming products, with full integration of mobile money systems to support fast deposits and withdrawals.

Choplife Gaming said the platform is designed for low-friction access, targeting young, smartphone-driven users in a market where traditional banking penetration remains limited. The company also plans to deploy responsible gaming tools alongside localized customer support as part of its compliance framework.

Expansion beyond Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa

The entry into Mali reflects a broader expansion strategy across Africa’s fragmented gaming landscape, as operators increasingly move beyond established hubs such as Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa into underpenetrated Francophone markets.

Executives at Choplife Gaming described Mali as a long-term growth frontier, citing its youthful population and rising digital adoption.

betPawa is a leading regulated sports betting platform operating across key African markets including Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania, Cameroon, DRC, Malawi, and Rwanda. Built for local relevance, the platform integrates seamless mobile money payments and a streamlined mobile-first interface designed for ease of use.

Mr Eazi’s expanding digital empire

Choplife Gaming, founded in 2021 by Nigerian entrepreneur and Afrobeats star Oluwatosin “Mr Eazi” Ajibade, has rapidly scaled into a Pan-African mobile-first gaming operator.

The company runs licensed sports betting and online casino platforms across multiple African markets, including the betPawa brand, built on a compliant, mobile-led growth strategy focused on regulatory alignment and responsible gaming.

In April 2026, the group expanded its footprint with the launch of Chopwin Gambia, strengthening its West African presence. In 2025, Choplife secured Nigeria’s operating rights, reinforcing its long-term partnership model with betPawa through an upfront licence fee structure designed to enhance market stability and scalability.

Ajibade, widely known as Mr Eazi, is also a serial entrepreneur with business interests across fintech, venture capital, and sports infrastructure in over 18 African countries.

Beyond music, he co-founded pawaPay, a continent-wide payments platform, and continues to play a key role in building Africa’s fast-growing digital gaming and payments ecosystem.