Development of Cognitive Skills through Chess and Esports in Africa

TLDR

• The future of Africa’s digital economy may seem more likely to emerge from artificial intelligence laboratories, software development hubs, or esports arenas than from a traditional chessboard.
• The answer may lie not simply in technology itself, but in the development of the cognitive and creative skills required to use it effectively.
• In a recent conversation with Esports Africa News, Magdaline Mumbi reflected on the growing intersection between chess, esports, education, technology, and youth development.
• The most valuable outcome of gaming may not be entertainment itself, but the transferable skills that participants acquire.
• Whether through chess tournaments, esports competitions, coding initiatives, STEM programmes, or digital learning platforms, young people are increasingly engaging with environments that encourage strategic thinking.