NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 22 – Twelve young Kenyans have graduated from a 12-week intensive Virtual Production Bootcamp, a milestone initiative aimed at expanding the country’s digital and creative economy.
The training, organized by Konza Technopolis in partnership with the Kenya Film Commission (KFC) and Genesis Design Factory, equipped participants with advanced skills in 2D and 3D animation, Extended Reality (XR), Augmented Reality (AR), and virtual studio production.
The graduates were selected from more than 600 applicants who attended a sensitization workshop earlier this year.
According to Konza Technopolis, Kenya’s creative sector is increasingly being positioned as a driver of economic growth, particularly at a time when youth unemployment remains high at nearly 40 percent among those aged 18–34.
Globally, the creative industry is valued at $2.25 trillion, while immersive technologies such as XR, AR, and VR are projected to surpass $6 billion in Africa by 2028—underscoring the commercial opportunities available for skilled talent.
Principal Secretary in the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy, John Tanui, said the program aligns with Kenya’s ambition of becoming a hub for creative exports and digital outsourcing.
“The integration of cutting-edge skills in virtual production supports our vision of positioning Kenya as a competitive hub for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and creative content export,” Tanui noted.
Locally produced content
Kenya Film Commission CEO Timothy KWS added that the graduates can help address the shortage of locally produced content while enhancing the country’s competitiveness in the global creative market.
The initiative is part of the planned Konza Digital Media City (KDMC), a flagship project designed to attract investment in animation, gaming, and post-production.
“Kenya’s creative economy is not just about entertainment; it is about powering a knowledge-driven economy,” said Josephine Ndambuki, Chief Manager of Business Development and Innovation at Konza.
The partners emphasized that the program demonstrates how public-private partnerships can accelerate talent development in emerging sectors.
