In a significant step forward for African esports, SAGES Africa has partnered with EVO France 2025 to bring top fighting game players from across the continent to one of the world’s most prestigious competitive stages. The initiative will see finalists from a series of national qualifying tournaments granted free entry to EVO France, scheduled to take place from 10 to 12 October in Nice, France.
The Evolution Championship Series is recognised globally as a premier platform for fighting games, with its European edition drawing elite players, developers, and fans from around the world. The inclusion of African competitors marks an opportunity for a continent that has long faced barriers to international participation, including logistical and financial constraints.
The collaboration was made possible through the contact of esports promotion organisation SAGES Africa with a network of esports federations from around the continent, all listed at the partnership’s annoucement.
So far, twelve countries have confirmed their participation: Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia. Additional nations are expected to join in the coming weeks.
SAGES Africa has publicly thanked EVO France for its willingness to collaborate and support the initiative, describing the partnership as a milestone for African esports. The inclusion of African fighters is seen not just as an expansion of the tournament’s player base, but as a contribution to the broader professionalisation of esports talent across the continent.
