Former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority and Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Kwabena Awuku, alongside Alex Apau Dadey, Chairman of the KGL Group, will be among high-profile guests at the 55th anniversary celebration of the Loterie Nationale de Côte d’Ivoire (LONACI).
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire and is expected to attract lottery industry leaders from across Africa, including representatives of the World Lottery Association and senior executives in gaming and revenue mobilisation.
Established in March 1970, LONACI has evolved into one of West Africa’s leading lottery institutions. Under Director-General Dramane Coulibaly—who also serves as President of the African Lotteries Association—the organisation has seen strong commercial growth. Revenue increased from 39 billion CFA francs in 2012 to over 657 billion CFA francs in 2025, with projections nearing 798 billion CFA francs this year.
Awuku’s participation underscores his continued influence in the sector. During his tenure at the NLA, he led digital reforms that enhanced transparency and boosted revenue. He also served as immediate past Vice President for the Anglophone Division of the African Lotteries Association and has spoken at global industry forums on innovation and policy.
For KGL Group, the anniversary presents an opportunity to strengthen its presence in Côte d’Ivoire. Its subsidiary, KGL Technology, operates the “590 Mobile” lottery in partnership with LONACI and has grown into a major digital operator in the Ivorian market.
The longstanding collaboration between the NLA, LONACI, and KGL Group continues to deepen. In July 2024, Coulibaly visited KGL’s Accra headquarters alongside Awuku to explore opportunities in technology transfer, market expansion, and regulatory cooperation.
The anniversary programme will feature an official opening ceremony, reflections on LONACI’s 55-year journey, and discussions on the future of lottery operations in an increasingly digital global landscape.
Source: businesspostonline
