Carry1st, Africa’s leading games publisher, announced Tuesday the launch of the Carry1st Africa Cup: MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI), marking Africa’s first all-female Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament. This initiative aims to provide a dedicated platform for women to compete at the highest level and gain international recognition in esports.
Tournament structure and objectives
The tournament will feature two online qualifiers: one for Egypt and one for the rest of Africa. Each qualifier will host 32 teams in a double-elimination playoff format. The winners will face off in a grand final at Insomnia Egypt, where the champions will earn their place at the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia later this year.
Registration for the tournament opens on March 26, with online qualifiers for the rest of Africa scheduled from April 4-6 and for Egypt-based teams from April 10-12. The grand final will take place from April 24-26.
Lucy Hoffman, Co-founder and COO of Carry1st expressed excitement about the initiative, stating, “This is the first women’s tournament for the Carry1st Cup, and we’re excited to provide a platform for Africa’s top female players. Africa has the talent and passion to compete globally, and we’re here to make that happen.”
Promoting Inclusivity in Esports
The event highlights the growing need for inclusivity in competitive gaming, particularly in Africa, where female esports players remain underrepresented globally.
Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at Moonton Games, noted, “We are witnessing a thriving esports scene in Africa and are proud to help talented female players make their mark. This partnership represents our commitment to inclusivity in competitive gaming”.
Carry1st’s initiative follows other global efforts to increase diversity in gaming, such as Riot Games’ Game Changers program for Valorant and Tencent’s Female Esports League in Southeast Asia. By hosting this tournament, Carry1st is solidifying Africa’s place in the international esports arena and providing opportunities for women to compete at higher levels.