Pakistan has formally begun work on its first Centre of Excellence in Gaming and Animation (CEGA) — a Rs. 2.52 billion project designed to transform the country’s digital media landscape. Spearheaded by the Ignite National Technology Fund and awarded to HUM Networks, the ambitious initiative is expected to fuel talent development, industry innovation, and economic growth over the next five years.
The facility, which officially commenced on August 1, 2025, will provide state-of-the-art equipment, co-working spaces, and specialized training programs for young professionals entering the high-demand fields of gaming and animation. According to Ignite, CEGA is strategically positioned to help Pakistan capture a larger share of the billion-dollar global gaming and animation market.
Pakistan’s gaming industry earned an estimated $170 million in revenue last year, with more than 8,000 active professionals in the field. The country’s robust ICT ecosystem — producing over 30,000 graduates annually, backed by 195 million mobile subscribers and 119 million 3G/4G users — offers fertile ground for developing creative and technical talent. Ignite believes that Pakistan’s young, English-speaking population provides a competitive advantage for building a sustainable gaming and animation sector.
The road to CEGA’s launch began in May 2024 with a multi-stage procurement process involving rigorous technical and financial evaluations, grievance hearings, and reviews by the Finance & Procurement Committee. After extensive deliberations, Ignite’s Board of Directors approved HUM Networks as the project partner in May 2025, leading to the contract signing on July 15, 2025. The project will be executed under Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules to ensure full transparency and compliance.
Officials at Ignite expressed confidence that CEGA will do more than train professionals — it will serve as a hub for research, innovation, and global collaboration. By integrating technology, arts, and media, the center will enable creators to produce solutions for both local and international markets, while strengthening Pakistan’s reputation as a competitive digital economy.
Industry analysts say that CEGA is arriving at the right time. The global gaming and animation market is expanding rapidly, and Pakistan’s talent pool is well-positioned to meet the rising demand for high-quality content and design expertise. By investing heavily in skills development and infrastructure, the country aims to move beyond outsourcing and establish its own globally recognized studios and IPs (intellectual properties).
Ignite believes the center will generate opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and foreign investment. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem between academia, industry, and government, CEGA is expected to nurture creative professionals who can build world-class products, support startups, and drive Pakistan’s digital exports.
With CEGA now underway, Pakistan is taking a decisive step toward becoming a regional leader in gaming and animation — turning raw talent into global impact.
