Twelve Young Kenyans Graduate in Virtual Production to Power Nation’s Creative Economy

Nairobi — Kenya’s ambitions to become a continental leader in digital media received a boost this week after twelve young creatives graduated from an intensive 12-week bootcamp in virtual production at Konza Technopolis. The program, which focused on advanced training in 2D and 3D animation, extended reality (XR), augmented reality (AR), and virtual studio production, is part of a broader push to strengthen the country’s digital creative economy.

The bootcamp was organized through a partnership between the Kenya Film Commission (KFC), Konza Technopolis, and Genesis Design Factory, a private-sector innovation lab. The twelve participants were drawn from a competitive pool of more than 600 applicants across the country, highlighting the growing appetite among Kenyan youth for opportunities in creative technology.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary John Tanui described the initiative as central to Kenya’s strategic vision of becoming Africa’s “Silicon Savannah.” “Empowering our youth with future-facing skills is key to driving innovation and job creation,” Tanui said, adding that virtual production and immersive media are rapidly emerging as new engines of economic growth worldwide.

Kenya Film Commission Chief Executive Timothy Owase emphasized the broader cultural and economic significance of the training. “These graduates will help bridge Kenya’s content creation deficit, positioning the country as a competitive player in global film, gaming, and animation markets,” Owase said.

For the trainees, the impact was personal as well as professional. “This has been life-changing,” said graduate Agnes Ndegwa, a 32-year-old animator who previously worked alone. “Collaborating with peers and mentors gave me sharper skills and the confidence to take on global projects.”

The program also aligns with Kenya’s plans to establish the Konza Digital Media City, a state-of-the-art regional hub for film, animation, and gaming production. Organizers noted that such initiatives not only create employment but also lay the groundwork for entirely new industries that will define Kenya’s creative economy in the coming decade.