A dozen young Kenyans have completed an intensive 12-week training in virtual production, marking a step in the country’s efforts to expand its creative and digital economy.
- •The program, run jointly by Konza Technopolis, the Kenya Film Commission (KFC), and Genesis Design Factory, was the first of its kind in the country.
- •It trained participants in 2D and 3D animation, extended reality (XR), augmented reality (AR) and virtual studio production skills increasingly sought after as global demand for immersive technologies grows.
- •The 12 graduates were selected from a pool of more than 600 who took part in an initial sensitization workshop earlier this year.
“The integration of cutting-edge skills in virtual production also supports our vision of positioning Kenya as a competitive hub for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and creative content export,” said John Tanui, Principal Secretary, State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy.
Kenya has positioned its creative sector as part of a broader digital transformation agenda, aiming to reduce high youth unemployment while also building a base for technology-driven exports. Official data shows joblessness among 18–34 year-olds nearing 40%, making skills programs a key part of government and private-sector efforts to stimulate economic participation.
“This initiative illustrates the power of collaboration in translating raw youth potential into measurable economic impact. These graduates will bridge the local content deficit while placing Kenya firmly on the map as a global creative hub,” said Timothy Owase, CEO of the Kenya Film Commission.
The creative economy worldwide is valued at more than US$2 trillion, with the African market for immersive technologies projected to reach US$6 billion by 2028, according to industry estimates. Kenya has a fast-growing media sector and widespread internet penetration, and is viewed as well placed to tap into this growth.
The initiative also ties into Konza Technopolis’s planned Digital Media City, a flagship project meant to serve as a hub for animation, gaming, post-production and digital entrepreneurship. The facility is expected to attract investment while providing infrastructure for content creation and export.