Abiola Olaniran, the visionary software engineer who transformed a university coding hobby into one of Africa’s most successful mobile gaming ventures, passed away on Wednesday, July 16, at the age of 36. According to sources close to the family, the Gamsole founder was laid to rest the same day in a private ceremony.
Though he avoided the spotlight, Olaniran’s career was a testament to Africa’s burgeoning tech potential. His journey began in 2010 when he led his Obafemi Awolowo University team to victory in the Microsoft Imagine Cup, a triumph that set the stage for his future in game development. Two years later, he founded Gamsole in Lagos, daring to enter an African gaming market that was virtually nonexistent at the time.
Choosing the then-nascent Windows Phone store as his launchpad, Olaniran created vibrant, casual games that captivated audiences far beyond Nigeria. By early 2015, Gamsole had surpassed 10 million downloads across Windows Phone, Android, and feature-phone platforms—a milestone that not only put his company on the global map but also signaled the viability of African game development.
That same year, Gamsole released its flagship title, Gidi Run, an endless runner game later launched in partnership with MTN. This collaboration marked a turning point in game monetization strategies across Africa, proving that locally developed content could thrive commercially.
Olaniran’s achievements did not go unnoticed. In 2015, Forbes Africa named him to its prestigious “30 Under 30” list, alongside other rising stars like Hotels.ng’s Mark Essien and Andela’s Iyin Aboyeji. A year later, the publication honored him again as one of the “30 Most Promising Young African Entrepreneurs”—a recognition that solidified his status as a pioneer in Africa’s gaming industry.
Beyond his technical brilliance, Olaniran was remembered for his quiet generosity and willingness to mentor emerging founders. His success demonstrated that African gaming could attract investment, inspiring a wave of developers to pursue their own ventures with lean resources and relentless innovation.
His passing leaves a void in Africa’s tech ecosystem, but his legacy as a trailblazer in gaming and angel investing will endure.