The African iGaming Alliance (AIA) has elected former Botswana Gambling Authority chief, Peter Kesitilwe, as its inaugural chief executive officer.
Kesitilwe served at the Botswana regulator for nine years across a number of roles, culminating in his appointment as CEO two years ago.
He will lead the newly established pan-African trade association for operators, which has been founded by betPawa, Betway, 888Africa, and Sportybet.
The AIA hopes to become the voice of the online gaming industry in Africa by fostering collaboration among operators, regulators, and governments to create a “transparent, responsible, and commercially sustainable sector.”
Commenting on his appointment, Kesitilwe said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the AIA’s first CEO. I look forward to working with regulators and policymakers to build a vibrant, sustainable & competitive industry that upholds the highest standards of responsible gambling and consumer protection.”
Kesitilwe’s appointment was welcomed by a number of AIA board members.
“Peter’s strong regulatory background and leadership experience bring immediate credibility to the AIA,” said Anthony Prissman, head of new markets at Betway Africa. “We are excited to work with him to help shape a responsible industry across the continent.”
Christopher Coyne, co-founder and CEO of 888Africa, commented: “Following a rigorous recruitment process, Peter’s vision for the future of iGaming in Africa stood out. We look forward to working with him and engaging stakeholders to deliver that vision.”
SportyBet’s Jai Mahtani added: “The AIA was created to support balanced regulation and raise standards for responsible gambling. Peter’s leadership marks the beginning of this journey.”