The move bolsters transparency, anti-corruption efforts and global data sharing in regulated betting
PawaTech Strengthens African Integrity by Joining Global Watchdog
PawaTech, the sportsbook technology firm powering the prominent BetPawa brand, has become the latest member of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA). The partnership represents a significant leap forward for betting integrity across Africa, where PawaTech operates in 17 jurisdictions and plays a major role in the continent’s growing iGaming infrastructure.
By joining IBIA, PawaTech commits to embedding stronger protections against corruption, match-fixing, and unregulated betting practices—issues that remain concerns in several emerging markets across Africa.
IBIA Integration Enhances Regional Monitoring and Enforcement
One of the most immediate impacts of the partnership is the integration of PawaTech’s trading data into IBIA’s global alert and monitoring platform. This proprietary system tracks over $300 billion in annual wagering turnover across more than 140 brands worldwide, making it one of the most robust tools in combating betting-related match-fixing.
Juri Sidorenko, CEO of PawaTech, emphasized the symbolic and strategic nature of the move:
“Joining IBIA reflects our commitment to fair play, integrity and safer betting. We are proud to support a trusted ecosystem that makes betting more secure, transparent and player-friendly across Africa.”
Rising Threats and Growing Collaboration
The move comes at a time when betting volumes and exposure in Africa are surging, yet regulatory and enforcement frameworks often lag behind. IBIA’s presence, strengthened through partnerships like this, serves as a deterrent to manipulation by connecting operators with enforcement authorities and regulators on a real-time basis.
IBIA CEO Khalid Ali remarked:
“PawaTech’s unique African footprint and tech-driven operations bring invaluable regional knowledge. Their membership enhances our coverage and further strengthens the global fight to uphold sporting integrity.”
The timing is crucial: IBIA’s Q1 2025 report revealed 63 suspicious betting alerts, an 11% increase year-on-year. These alerts fed into investigations that led to sanctions against 17 players, clubs, and officials in 2024, reinforcing the system’s effectiveness.
Africa’s Betting Growth Demands Stronger Oversight
Africa is rapidly emerging as a key frontier for sports betting, with mobile-led platforms enabling widespread access. However, this also exposes vulnerabilities in markets where regulatory oversight is still developing. By aligning with IBIA, PawaTech positions itself not only as a business leader but also as a responsible stakeholder driving long-term sustainability in the sector.
PawaTech joins a growing list of companies—like Oddsgate and CopyBet—that have signed onto IBIA in 2025, collectively reinforcing a global movement toward transparency, accountability and data-driven integrity enforcement.
Conclusion
PawaTech’s entry into IBIA is more than a partnership—it is a message. It signals that African betting operators are ready to meet global standards in compliance, security and fairness. With sports betting in the region poised for exponential growth, this collaboration could be a turning point for how integrity is embedded in African gaming markets.
