Gamescom 2026
Through its valued partnerships with Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and gamescom dev, the Goethe-Institut Sub-Saharan Africa maintained a strong and impactful presence throughout gamescom week. From the gamescom dev Scholarship Programme and the NRW International Industry Meetup to the inaugural NRW Games Reception and numerous networking and knowledge-sharing initiatives, these collaborations fostered meaningful cultural exchange, industry dialogue, and ecosystem development across regions.
The proceedings were opened by Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs and Media of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Head of the State Chancellery, alongside Walid Nakschbandi, Managing Director of Film- und Medienstiftung NRW. In his welcome address, Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst highlighted the economic, technological, cultural, and social significance of games.
The NRW stand also welcomed distinguished guests including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Cologne Lord Mayor Torsten Burmester. Their visits further emphasised the growing importance of the games industry as a driver of innovation, economic development, cultural expression, and social engagement.
The first day of programming featured discussions with industry leaders and stakeholders from Africa, Brazil, and Thailand, exploring international games markets and emerging opportunities for cross-border collaboration. The session "GamesConnect AFRICA" showcased how targeted funding, capacity-building programmes, professional networks, and policy advocacy can contribute to the development of a sustainable and inclusive games ecosystem across the African continent.
Additional sessions highlighted São Paulo's role as a gateway to the Latin American games market and Thailand's growing influence within the global games industry.
Through initiatives such as the NRW Games Reception and International Business Meetup, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the City of Cologne, KölnBusiness, and Film- und Medienstiftung NRW created a dynamic platform for international networking, new partnerships, and industry exchange, further strengthening North Rhine-Westphalia's reputation as a leading location for the games industry.
The Goethe-Institut Sub-Saharan Africa extends its sincere appreciation to all partners, collaborators, speakers, and participants whose commitment and support made this large-scale international collaboration a success. Together, we continue to build bridges between communities, foster innovation, and create new opportunities for sustainable growth within the global games ecosystem.
gamescom remains the world's largest gaming event and the most important business platform for the international games industry, bringing together creators, companies, policymakers, and players from around the globe to shape the future of gaming.
Credits: NRW Games Reception - Landesregierung Nordrhein-Westfalen/Maigut Media, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Kölnbusiness.
Fabian Strauch, Meike Preckel, Robin Teller
