Nigerian gaming startup expands into Ghana just weeks after its flagship game, Lagos Life, attracted more than 11 million players in its first month.
African gaming is taking another bold step onto the global stage as Vatar, the Nigerian technology company behind the hugely popular Lagos Life, expands into Ghana with the launch of three virtual cities: Accra, Kumasi and Tema.
The international expansion, which goes live on Sunday, November 15, 2026, marks a significant milestone for the fast-growing gaming company, coming barely six weeks after Lagos Life’s launch on October 1, 2026. The game reportedly attracted more than 11 million players within its first month, establishing itself as a rapidly growing social gaming experience inspired by everyday African life.
Founded by Nigerian software developer Shalom Rayhamen, Vatar is building an interconnected network of virtual African cities where players can create characters, secure jobs, earn virtual money, rent homes, own property, use public transport, explore familiar locations and socialise with other players in real time.
With Ghana joining Nigeria, the platform now features six virtual cities across two countries, allowing players to move between different African urban environments within one shared digital world.
The Ghana expansion introduces virtual experiences inspired by the country’s major cities, including Accra, Kumasi and Tema. Players can explore recognisable locations such as Accra Mall and Kejetia Market, experience Tema’s harbour-city atmosphere, take city tours and travel between countries.
According to Vatar, the Ghana experience has been developed with input from local stakeholders to ensure that the cities reflect the country’s culture, landmarks and everyday experiences.
Ahead of the launch, the Vatar team travelled to Ghana to engage partners and leaders in the country’s gaming and creative industries, including Kwesi Hayford, President of the Esports Association, Ghana (EAG).
Hayford, an esports leader and digital media entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience in the industry, has played a significant role in developing Ghana’s esports ecosystem. Under his leadership, EAG launched the Ghana Esports League, the country’s first structured national esports league, and helped establish the African Esports Championships, involving 15 countries.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the platform, Rayhamen said Vatar was created to address the lack of culturally familiar environments in mainstream life-simulation games.
“Lagos Life was born from my love for The Sims growing up. The game was always set in American cities, and while I enjoyed it, it never felt native to me. I didn’t feel seen or represented,” she explained.
Rayhamen said her ambition is to create virtual environments where Africans can see their identities, cultures and everyday experiences reflected.
She added that the Ghana expansion was deliberately shaped with local participation to ensure that players in Accra, Kumasi and Tema could experience virtual versions of their own cities.
Hayford also welcomed the development, describing the platform as an opportunity to strengthen Africa’s digital and creative industries.
He noted that African gaming platforms can connect cultures, develop digital skills and create opportunities for young people, while positioning the continent as a contributor to the global gaming industry.
Vatar was co-founded in October 2026 by Rayhamen, who serves as Chief Executive Officer, alongside Owen Rayhamen, Chief Product Officer; Anderson Oriahi, Chief Operating Officer; and Shantel Oriahi, Chief Financial Officer.
The company began with Lagos Life, which launched on Nigeria’s Independence Day, October 1, 2026. Following its rapid growth, the platform expanded beyond Lagos to include Abuja and Port Harcourt within its first month.
The Ghana launch represents the next phase of Vatar’s ambition to build a global network of culturally authentic virtual cities, starting in Africa and eventually reaching audiences around the world.
Vatar is accessible through a web browser at www.vatar.com, with no download required, and is also available on the Google Play Store. An App Store release is expected soon.
The platform is free to play and open to users aged 18 and above.
As African developers increasingly explore opportunities in the global gaming industry, Vatar’s expansion into Ghana signals a growing ambition to put African cities, cultures and everyday experiences at the centre of the digital entertainment landscape.
