Twelve Kenyan youth have graduated from a
Virtual Production Bootcamp, equipping them with advanced skills in animation
and immersive technologies, in a program seen as a major step for the country’s
creative and digital economy.
The 12-week training, held at Konza Technopolis, focused on 2D and 3D animation, Extended Reality (XR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Studio production.
The cohort was selected from over
600 applicants who participated in a sensitization workshop in March.
The initiative was a partnership between
Konza Technopolis, the Kenya Film Commission (KFC), and Genesis Design Factory,
designed to provide future-facing skills in a sector projected to grow rapidly
in Africa.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony,
Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy John Tanui said the program
reflects the government’s vision of leveraging digital skills to drive growth.
“The Government of Kenya is determined to
nurture innovation ecosystems that empower our youth with the skills of the
future. This bootcamp aligns perfectly with our National Digital Economy
Blueprint and strengthens our ambition to leverage Kenya’s youthful population
as the engine for sustainable economic growth,” he said.
Kenya Film Commission CEO Timothy Owase
said the graduates will help address Kenya’s content deficit while positioning
the country on the global stage.
Konza Technopolis Chief Manager for Business
Development and Innovation Josephine Ndambuki said the creative economy must be
viewed as part of the broader knowledge-driven economy.
“When we invest in youth with future-facing
skills, we don’t just create jobs; we build industries, attract investment, and
generate exportable digital content,” she said.
Genesis Design Factory CEO Mike Mwiti, who
led industry mentorship, said the program went beyond technical training.
“We set out to ensure these young creatives
gained real-world problem-solving skills. Today, they graduate as storytellers,
innovators, and global competitors ready to contribute to Kenya’s rise in the
digital marketplace,” he said.
One of the graduates, Agnes Ndegwa,
described the program as life-changing.
“Before this program, I had been working
alone for ten years. The bootcamp has sharpened my skills, expanded my
creativity, and taught me the power of collaboration. I now feel confident to
compete globally,” she said.
The graduation was attended by officials
from Cameras Africa, GIZ, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy
and Sports, who pledged continued support for talent development.
Globally, the creative industry is valued
at over $2.25 trillion, while Africa’s immersive technology market is projected
to reach $6 billion by 2028. Kenya, with its young population and growing
digital sector, is seen as well placed to benefit.
The Virtual Production Bootcamp is part of
plans to launch the Konza Digital Media City (KDMC), envisioned as a regional
hub for creative content, animation, gaming, and post-production.
As the country advances towards Vision
2030, stakeholders say programs like this highlight Kenya’s ambition to cement
its status as Africa’s Silicon Savannah.
