Electronic Arts is partnering with African mobile games publisher Carry1st to allow in-app purchases using cryptocurrency in the popular EA SPORTS FCTM Mobile soccer game.

Players across Africa can now use crypto and local African payment methods to buy virtual items in EA SPORTS FCTM Mobile through Carry1st's online marketplace.

With over 15,000 licensed players and 650 clubs, EA SPORTS FCTM Mobile has millions of fans in Africa. Carry1st said it has seen strong demand for crypto payment options.

"We're enabling local gamers to purchase the in-game items that they love, using local payment methods and currencies," said Spencer Ma, Carry1st's growth lead, in a statement seen by NODO.

The partnership comes as e-payments in Africa are forecast to hit $40 billion by 2025, Carry1st said. Crypto adoption is rising across the continent as people seek to hedge against currency depreciation and inflation.

Carry1st's payments platform lets EA SPORTS FCTM Mobile players instantly top up their accounts with no codes or vouchers required. The company has similar partnerships for in-app purchases with Activision and Supercell.

To promote the new payment options, Carry1st is offering 20% bonuses on EA SPORTS FCTM Mobile's FC Points and 10% on Silver through March 17. It will also run competitions under the name Project Golazo with leading African football personalities.

Carry1st, backed by Andreessen Horowitz, BITKRAFT and others, publishes and monetizes games in Africa. The continent was the only region to see 8.7% mobile gaming revenue growth last year, per research firm Newzoo.