Melbet analysis finds 2026 growth in French-speaking West Africa

Webmasters pursuing growth are increasingly evaluating markets with high user loyalty, legalized gambling frameworks, and lower media buying costs.

French-speaking West Africa, specifically Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Cameroon, is identified by MelBet Partners & Affiliates as a strategic region for scaling activity in 2026. These countries provide mobile-first audiences, strong sportsbook interest, and evolving regulations that support licensed operators.

MelBet Partners & Affiliates state that they already hold licenses in all three countries. They describe this as part of a professional and responsible approach to entering regulated environments that offer stable traffic sources.

Côte d’Ivoire: Mobile market with steady deposits

Côte d'Ivoire has a population of more than 29 million, with demand driven by a young online audience. Approximately 87% of users connect through Android devices, supporting campaigns built around mobile-optimized offers and landing pages.

City-based incomes of $300 to $600 correlate with smaller but continuous deposits. Football wagering represents the main product category, focusing on European leagues, particularly the English Premier League, together with regional competitions such as CHAN, CAF, and AFCON. Crash-style games and first deposit bonuses are common triggers for converting users. Bettor retention typically depends on familiar brands and straightforward onboarding experiences.

Senegal: Growing iOS user share and betting conversion

Senegal’s population is 18 million and includes a rapidly expanding online audience. Nearly one third of users operate on iOS devices, with the remaining majority using Android. This creates a distinctive platform mix within West Africa.

MelBet Partners & Affiliates data notes that simple interactive formats, such as Aviator, support customer acquisition. Football betting is concentrated on European leagues and mainly the English Premier League. Trust-driven messaging has strong influence, and users tend to convert when offers are clear and familiar. App adoption continues to rise across both operating systems.

Cameroon: High mobile connectivity and widespread betting interest

Cameroon has over 29 million residents and more than 25 million mobile connections, which equals an 87.5% mobile connection rate. Internet penetration is around 42%. Smartphone access and mobile payments enable extensive engagement with digital gambling platforms.

The audience is young and actively participates in iGaming entertainment. Deposit values are typically small but consistent. Football wagering centers on European leagues including France’s Ligue 1 and on regional events such as CHAN, CAF, and AFCON. Legalization at the state level is already in place, and localized bonuses remain widely used promotional tools.

MelBet Partners & Affiliates report that Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Cameroon provide acquisition scalability, lower entry costs for affiliates, and ongoing iGaming growth. Gambling legalization and market openness in these countries create operational space for experienced teams that intend to expand in emerging territories.