Abiola Olaniran, the visionary software engineer and Gamsole founder, one of Africa’s leading mobile gaming companies, has passed away at the age of 36. He was laid to rest in a private ceremony on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
Olaniran’s life and career were a testament to Africa’s immense and growing tech potential. His journey began in 2010 when he led his team from Obafemi Awolowo University to victory at the Microsoft Imagine Cup. Two years later, he founded Gamsole in Lagos — at a time when the African gaming industry was still largely untapped.
Leveraging the then-nascent Windows Phone platform, Olaniran developed engaging mobile games that quickly gained international traction. By 2015, Gamsole had surpassed 10 million downloads across Android, feature phones, and other platforms, bringing African-made games to a global audience. That same year, the company partnered with MTN to launch Gidi Run, an endless runner game that also pioneered new monetization strategies in African gaming.
His achievements earned him recognition on Forbes Africa’s “30 Under 30” list in 2015 and as one of the “30 Most Promising Young African Entrepreneurs” in 2016. Olaniran’s success helped reshape perceptions about what was possible in African tech, showing that innovation could thrive even with limited resources.
“I met him during his Gamsole engagements in Nairobi a few times. He was so focused on gaming and education and never let fame get into his head. He was a builder, a serious one, and African developers have so much to learn from him” said Sam Wakoba, founder of TechMoran.
In 2020, Olaniran shifted his focus to edtech, becoming Chief Technology Officer at CcHub following its acquisition of Kenyan learning platform eLimu. Over nearly two years, he revitalized the platform’s mobile apps, integrating gamification into educational content now used by over 500,000 students across East Africa.
In his later years, he dedicated himself to mentoring young African entrepreneurs and supporting startups through angel investing. His quiet but profound influence continues to ripple across the continent’s tech landscape.
Abiola Olaniran leaves behind a legacy of innovation, generosity, and belief in the power of African talent. His life’s work will remain an enduring inspiration to future generations.
Reading This Now 476
