PUBG MOBILE Expands in Africa with Local Servers, Cultural Features, and Community Events

PUBG Mobile in Africa (Image Credit: Krafton)

PUBG MOBILE is taking a big step forward in Africa, rolling out local servers, introducing culturally inspired content, and launching continent-wide community events.

As part of its ongoing “For Africa, By Africa” initiative, PUBG MOBILE has officially launched dedicated servers in Nigeria and South Africa. This move means less lag, faster matchmaking, and an all-around smoother experience for millions of African players who’ve long faced frustrating latency issues.

Players now have access to a Server Node Selection feature, letting them easily switch between local and global matchmaking.

“We understand that smooth gameplay is key, especially in a region where players are super passionate but often face technical hurdles,” said Brian Gu, Head of PUBG MOBILE Africa. This marks a serious commitment from Tencent (via Lightspeed Studios), showing they’re willing to invest in long-term regional support—not just show up for downloads.

But this update isn’t only about performance. PUBG MOBILE is celebrating African culture in-game like never before. Players can now sport a Maasai Shuka outfit, showcasing the iconic patterns and bold colors of one of Africa’s most recognized tribes.

There’s also a new emote called “Afro Frenzy”, inspired by the viral “Mapangale” dance that exploded on TikTok. And soon, players will be able to try out a digital version of Mancala, a classic African board game loved across the continent for generations.

The community engagement doesn’t stop there. July kicks off the Airdrop Festival Carnival, where players can win cool prizes like Infinix smartphones and Oraimo accessories.

The Africa Cup Tournament is already underway and will wrap up with a grand final on September 6–7. And in August, the TikTok x PUBG MOBILE Dance Challenge will invite players to show off their moves for even more rewards.

All of this is part of a broader strategy—one that balances technical upgrades, cultural relevance, and real community involvement. It’s a smart move in a market that’s still wide open, where mobile gaming is booming but competition is heating up.

Africa’s gaming market brought in an estimated $1.8 billion in revenue in 2024, with mobile and free-to-play titles leading the charge. While challenges like infrastructure and monetization still exist, the player base is growing fast—and PUBG MOBILE seems ready to grow with it.