Konza Technopolis in partnership with the Kenya Film Commission (KFC) will train 100 2D and 3D animators in Virtual Production with focus on Virtual Studios, Extended Reality (XR) and Augmented Reality (AR).
“This training initiative presents a unique opportunity to position Kenya at the forefront of emerging technologies in the creative sector through enhancing the skills of animators and film makers, providing them with access to real-world applications in virtual production,” Mr John Paul Okwiri, Konza Technopolis CEO, said.
Speaking at the start of the two-day workshop, Mr Okwiri noted that the sensitisation training is strategically aligned with current creative industry trends and the growing demand for immersive technologies in Africa with particular emphasis on Kenya’s rapidly developing creative and tech sectors.
According to the Communications Authority of Kenya, Audience Measurement and Industry Trends Report, Fourth Quarter 2023-2024, Kenya has over 360 television stations, 293 FM Radio stations, which provides an extensive array of programming and listenership in various local languages, reflecting the country’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage.
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The above rapid changes have been enhanced by Kenya’s switch to digital terrestrial TV in 2015 from the analogue model. Similarly, the high rate of mobile penetration, enabled by high internet connectivity has enhance consumption of content. “The market for animation has expanded rapidly and barriers to entry have reduced considerably due to adoption of technology,” Mr Andrew Kaggia, an award-winning film maker and a lead trainer for action animation said.
However, the regulator has often decried the lack of sufficient and appropriate local content to be used by the media houses to meet the industry threshold of 30 percent of local content. Africa boasts over 2,000 registered TV stations, with Kenya being one of the leaders, offering significant opportunities to expand the use of emerging technologies in TV, film, and media production. With 75% of African households having access to television, and media consumption continuously rising, the demand for high-quality virtual production is set to increase.
In addition, smartphone penetration in Africa has surpassed 50%, and mobile connectivity is growing, providing an ideal environment for the adoption of AR and XR technologies, particularly in sectors like mobile entertainment, advertising, and education. The XR and VR market in Africa is projected to grow into a $6 billion market by 2028, presenting a substantial opportunity for local animators and producers.
At the same time, consumer behaviour is shifting towards immersive experiences, especially in entertainment, education, and healthcare, where AR and XR are increasingly relevant. “By providing this training, Konza Technopolis will ensure that Kenyan professionals are positioned to lead in the growing XR and virtual production industry, contributing to economic growth, job creation, and the realization of Kenya’s Vision 2030,” Mr Okwiri said.
Creative and Content Industry
The training to be undertake by Genesis Design Factory will see the selection of 12 trainees to undergo a further three months intensive training and work on live projects.
Last year, while on a state visit to Korea, President William Ruto signed a $284 million financing agreement for the construction of the Konza Digital Media City (KDMC). The project intends to position Kenya as a creative and content industry leader in Africa by providing a state-of-the-art facility to promote emerging creative sector and unlock the opportunities in the creative sector. It will have multi-media training institute, digital media enterprise, post production studios for gaming and animation, music production, among other digital media content.
The KMDC will also offer professional level skilling, commercial services in gaming, animation, filming, photography, entertainment, software development, film studios, broadcasting stations, research and training among others.
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