Kenyan and Chinese youth have come together in Nairobi for the inaugural Kenya Elephants Cup, using esports to promote cultural exchange while creating new opportunities for Kenya’s growing gaming industry.
The Honour of Kings tournament, held on Sunday, September 20, brought together players from Kenya and China in a competition organised by the Kenya Chinese Youth Association and the Chinese Association, in collaboration with the Chinese and Kenyan governments, with support from Elephants. The Kenyan competition was organised by Kylin Esports.
The event provided a platform for young gamers to showcase their skills, interact across cultures and explore the potential of esports as an emerging career and economic opportunity.
Speaking during the tournament, Kylin Esports Director Collins Oloo said grassroots competitions such as the Kenya Elephants Cup are important in developing local talent and strengthening Kenya’s presence in international esports.
Oloo noted that Kenya has not had sufficient representation in major global esports competitions, adding that local tournaments can help identify and nurture players capable of competing at the international level.
He said Kenyan esports players face challenges including limited access to high-performance devices, reliable internet connectivity, gaming facilities and financial support.
According to Oloo, government agencies, investors and internet service providers could play a key role by supporting gaming centres, providing equipment, improving connectivity and funding talented players.
He also highlighted the growing accessibility of mobile esports, noting that players do not necessarily need expensive gaming computers or consoles because smartphones have made competitive gaming more accessible to young people across the country.
Yang Min, President of the Kenya Chinese Youth Association, said the tournament represented an important opportunity for Kenyans to demonstrate their abilities and strengthen cultural ties with Chinese gamers.
“I’m hoping for it to really get us far because our representation on the global stage hasn’t been that great,” Yang said, describing the tournament as a beginning for Kenyan players seeking greater international visibility.
Yang said she has played mobile multiplayer online battle arena games for about eight years, beginning with Mobile Legends before taking up Honour of Kings. She said participating in tournaments such as the Kenya Elephants Cup helps Kenyan players learn from Chinese gamers while making their presence known to international game publishers.
She added that esports should be viewed beyond entertainment, arguing that competitive gaming can develop communication, teamwork, cognitive and hand-eye coordination skills.
Yang also pointed to the range of career opportunities emerging around esports, including professional playing, coaching, administration, content creation and tournament management.
However, he said Kenya’s esports ecosystem still requires greater investment.
Unlike countries where players can receive salaries and sponsorships to compete full-time, many Kenyan players combine gaming with other jobs.
Yang called for increased support from the government, investors and private-sector players, particularly through equipment, gaming spaces, affordable internet, 5G connectivity and tournament funding.
According to Yang, such investments would help talented Kenyan players compete more effectively internationally and potentially create sustainable careers within the country’s esports industry.
The Kenya Elephants Cup therefore marks a step towards building stronger links between Kenya and China while giving local gamers a platform to compete, network and develop skills in an industry with growing global economic potential.