We’re excited to share that Maliyo Games made waves at the 2024 FNB App of the Year Awards in Johannesburg, South Africa! This prestigious event recognizes the most innovative, impactful, and user-friendly mobile apps, and we couldn’t be prouder to see two of our games—Disney Iwájú: Rising Chef and Secret Letter—nominated in the same category. Even more exciting, Rising Chef won the Best African Solution award, sponsored by Accenture. This is a huge honor for our team and a testament to the hard work and creativity that went into both games!
Celebrating Innovation: Disney Iwájú: Rising Chef
Developed in collaboration with Disney Games, Disney Iwájú: Rising Chef transports players into the bustling, energetic world of Nigerian cuisine, set within the context of the vibrant city of Lagos. Inspired by the Disney+ original animated series, Iwájú, this game challenges players to step into the shoes of a new chef, navigating the fun and frenzied world of restaurant cooking.
For our team, this game is more than just a cooking simulator—it’s a celebration of African culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Michael Fagbemi, one of the game developers on the team, reflected on its significance:
“This represents more than just an app or a game; it symbolizes the passion, creativity, and resilience of a dedicated team that believes in putting African culture at the center of everything we do.
Thank you to our users for trusting us, providing feedback, and inspiring us to be better every day. And to our families, mentors, and colleagues—your support means everything.
Here’s to continued innovation and creating games that make a difference!”
Winning the Best African Solution award at the FNB App of the Year Awards highlights how games like Rising Chef can transcend entertainment, offering educational value and cultural pride in an engaging way.
Secret Letter: Nominated and Recognized!
In addition to our win, we were thrilled to see Secret Letter nominated in the same category. This game challenges players to unravel a series of intriguing mysteries by solving word puzzles. Set in a noir-inspired world filled with secrets and suspense, Secret Letter combines classic wordplay with immersive storytelling, keeping players on the edge of their seats. The nomination was a huge recognition of the creativity and innovation that went into making this unique game.
David Sibato, who worked on the game, shared:
“Secret Letter was born during a game jam, and its detective twist reminded us of popular games like Wordle—but we wanted to add our own spin. Seeing it nominated at the FNB App of the Year Awards is surreal and a testament to the countless hours of hard work, bug fixes, and brainstorming that went into making this idea a reality.”
What’s Next for Maliyo Games?
Winning the Best African Solution award and receiving a nomination for Secret Letter are just the beginning. Our team is already hard at work preparing exciting updates for some of our recent titles, including Crazy Ludo, and Safari City set to launch this December. These updates will feature improved gameplay, enhanced visuals, and new surprises to keep players engaged.
Additionally, we’re committed to developing new games that aim to celebrate the diversity of African stories and cultures while delivering high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide. David Sibato summed it up perfectly:
“Winning this award symbolizes how far we’ve come as a team—from junior developers trying to find our footing to experienced creators who now understand what players truly want. This is a milestone we hold close to our hearts.”
Download Iwájú: Rising Chef and Secret Letter!
If you missed the action at the awards, don’t worry! You can still experience the magic of Iwájú: Rising Chef and Secret Letter. Download the games now on Android and iOS, and join us on our mission to create even more innovative games.
Thank you for all your support, and we can’t wait to show you what’s next!
