African Gamers Get Shot at Global Glory in Call of Duty: Mobile Tournament

Carry1st Africa Cup 2025 becomes official qualifier for $1 million World Championship

African esports is stepping into the global spotlight. Carry1st, the continent’s leading game publisher, has announced the return of its Call of Duty: Mobile tournament as part of the Carry1st Africa Cup 2025—and this time, it’s officially backed by Activision.

With over 200 teams and more than 1,000 players, the upcoming tournament marks the largest competitive gaming event in Africa to date.

In a major development, Activision has formally recognized the Carry1st Africa Cup as an official qualifier for the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship 2025, giving African players a shot at the global title and a share of a $1 million prize pool.

“Last year was incredible and showed us what this continent's talent can do when given the right platform,” said Guillaume Noé, VP of Growth at Carry1st. “Now we're raising the stakes with more players and more regions.”

Expanded Reach Across Seven Regions

The 2025 edition expands beyond last year’s five participating regions to now include seven African regions:

• Nigeria

• Ghana

• South Africa

• North Africa (Egypt & Morocco)

• Kenya

• Uganda

• Francophone West Africa (Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Senegal)

Tournament Timeline and Format

Running from May through July 2025, the tournament will feature weekend matches across each region, starting with group stages, followed by playoffs and regional finals. 

The top teams from each region will qualify for the Grand Finals in Lagos, Nigeria, set for August 2025.

There, finalists will battle it out for a $15,000 prize pool, with the winning team securing Africa’s spot at the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship 2025.

“This tournament is shaping up to be a major moment for African esports,” said Jeffrey Gullett, Co-Head of Call of Duty: Mobile at Activision. “It’s creating real opportunities for the best players regionally to break through and compete globally.”

Wildcards, Registration, and Travel Support

To increase inclusivity, Carry1st has introduced a Wildcard Slot, allowing teams from outside the seven main regions—such as Mauritius and Tunisia—to compete for a place in the finals.

Registration officially opened on Saturday, May 3, via the Carry1st Africa Cup website. 

Teams must have at least five starting players and one substitute, and all players must be residents of the country they’re representing. The tournament is open to both amateur and professional players.

To ensure the best teams make it to the finals, Carry1st will cover travel arrangements for all qualifying squads—removing financial barriers that could otherwise hinder participation.