The African IGaming Alliance (AiA) has announced the appointment of Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe as inaugural Chief Executive of the trade and standards body, established with a commitment to advance ethical, sustainable, and inclusive growth of Africa’s  online gambling sector.  

The former CEO of the Botswana Gambling Authority (BGA), Kesitilwe oversaw the regulatory development and licensing regime of the Southern African state, by enacting reforms to the Betting and Lotteries Act.

Establishing its charter, the AIA seeks for professionals from African regulators, operators and wider business services (law and IT) to join its ranks with a view to promote ethical and fair gaming and sustainable policies across Africa’s multi-billion igaming sector.  

Commenting on his appointment, Kesitilwe said he was “deeply honoured” to lead the Alliance: “I look forward to working with regulators and policymakers to build a vibrant, sustainable and competitive industry that upholds the highest standards of responsible gambling and consumer protection.”

In his new role, Kesitilwe will work with AIA members to establish a Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) in partnership with Gaming Advisory Africa, the continent’s largest gaming advisory network. 

The JIC will bring together more than 10 regulators from across Africa, alongside seven gaming and fintech associations, to build common standards and foster a more coordinated approach to regulation and consumer protection.

Backers of the Alliance were quick to endorse the move. Anthony Prissman of Betway Africa said Kesitilwe’s “strong regulatory background and leadership experience bring immediate credibility to the AIA.” 

Echoing that view, Dan Thomson of betPawa remarked that his appointment “reflects the strength of the Alliance and our mission to build a well-regulated sector across Africa.”

For Jai Mahtani of Sportybet, the hire represents a turning point: “Peter’s leadership marks the beginning of raising standards for responsible gambling.” Meanwhile, Christopher Coyne of 888Africa noted that “following a rigorous process, Peter’s vision for Africa’s iGaming future stood out.”

The Alliance will present its founding charter in the coming months, setting out priorities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and innovation. Its goal is to ensure that Africa’s gaming industry grows in a way that is responsible, coordinated and future-ready.