Former Botswana regulator Peter Kesitilwe to head African iGaming Alliance

The African iGaming Alliance (AIA) has appointed Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer, formalizing leadership at the newly created trade and standards body for the continent’s online gambling sector.

Kesitilwe, formerly CEO of the Botswana Gambling Authority (BGA), brings regulatory experience from overseeing reforms to the country’s Betting and Lotteries Act and managing its licensing regime. Before that, he served as the BGA’s Chief Financial Officer beginning in 2016, later stepping as acting CEO in 2022, before assuming the role permanently in 2023.

Joint Implementation Committee

One of Kesitilwe’s first initiatives will be working with AIA members to set up a Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) in partnership with Gaming Advisory Africa, described as the continent’s largest gaming advisory network.

The JIC will involve more than 10 regulators from African jurisdictions as well as seven gaming and fintech associations. The initiative is designed to establish shared standards and foster a coordinated approach to consumer protection and regulatory practice.

Industry response

Kesitilwe said he was “deeply honoured” to take on the role. “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," he stated.

Industry stakeholders welcomed the appointment. Anthony Prissman, Head of New Markets at Betway Africa, said Kesitilwe’s “strong regulatory background and leadership experience bring immediate credibility to the AIA.”

Dan Thompson of betPawa stated that his appointment “reflects the strength of the Alliance and our mission to build a well-regulated sector across Africa," while Jai Mahtani of SportyBet added that "Peter’s leadership marks the beginning of raising standards for responsible gambling.”

Christopher Coyne, CEO of 888Africa, commented: “Following a rigorous process, Peter’s vision for Africa’s iGaming future stood out. We look forward to working with him and engaging stakeholders to deliver that vision.”

Founding and membership

The AIA was recently founded by Betway, 888Africa, SportyBet, and betPawa. Its members are licensed in 20 countries across Africa. The organization has said its mission is to promote collaboration between operators, regulators, policymakers, and governments to establish a responsible and commercially sustainable iGaming industry.

The Alliance is encouraging participation from professionals across regulation, operations, law, and technology. It plans to publish its founding charter in the coming months, outlining objectives for knowledge-sharing, innovation, and coordinated policies across Africa’s multi-billion-dollar gambling sector.