Twelve young Kenyans have graduated with world-class virtual production skills, marking a major milestone in Kenya’s creative and digital economy. Selected from over 600 participants during a two-day sensitization workshop in March 2025 at Konza Technopolis, the graduates represent the first cohort of local talent equipped to compete in global creative industries.
The pioneering program, a collaboration between Konza Technopolis, the Kenya Film Commission (KFC), and Genesis Design Factory, highlights the transformative power of public-private partnerships in driving innovation. With youth unemployment in Kenya estimated at nearly 40 percent among those aged 18–34, the initiative underscores how targeted skills development can create new economic pathways.
Participants received intensive training in 2D and 3D animation, Extended Reality (XR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Studio production. These future-facing skills not only bridge Kenya’s talent gap but also align the country with global trends in immersive technologies, a sector projected to surpass $6 billion in Africa by 2028.
Speaking during the graduation, Eng. John Tanui, CBS, Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, hailed the program as a cornerstone of Kenya’s digital transformation journey. He noted that the training supports the National Digital Economy Blueprint and strengthens Kenya’s positioning as a hub for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and creative content export.
Kenya Film Commission CEO Timothy Owase emphasized the sector’s promise, stating that the initiative will bridge the local content deficit while enhancing Kenya’s profile as a global creative hub. Josephine Ndambuki of Konza Technopolis added that investing in creative talent not only generates jobs but also builds industries, attracts investment, and develops export-ready digital content.
Graduates described the program as life-changing. “The bootcamp has sharpened my skills, expanded my creativity, and taught me the power of collaboration. I now feel confident to compete globally,” said Agnes Ndegwa, one of the trainees.
The Virtual Production Bootcamp forms part of the broader vision for Konza’s upcoming Digital Media City, a flagship hub designed to position Kenya as Africa’s creative and digital innovation epicenter. As Kenya accelerates toward Vision 2030, such initiatives reaffirm its commitment to unlocking youth potential and cementing its status as Africa’s Silicon Savannah.
