African representatives attend initial appearance at international XR conference
Beginning July 7 and concluding on the 9th, Africa's XR (virtual and augmented reality) sector will be prominently showcased at a leading VR/AR exhibition. Representing various African nations, six companies and one student team will form a pavilion within the event, marking the first time an African delegation has participated in such a global XR event.
The African XR delegation has been curated by Imisi 3D, a Nigerian creation lab that focuses on building an XR ecosystem in Africa. The participating companies hail from South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Tunisia, encompassing diverse areas such as content creation, hardware, and education. The student team was the winner of the 2020 AR/VR Africa hackathon, held virtually last year.
Imisi 3D aims to leverage this opportunity to bring international attention to Africa's XR sector, bridging the gap between African and European XR ecosystems. The VR/AR exhibition typically attracts around 10,000 visitors annually, offering a significant platform for African companies to connect with the international VR/AR community.
Imisi 3D actively champions a community of XR creators, operating in various sectors, including education, artist collaborations, and the development of VR labs in schools. They also facilitate offline meetups and provide online communities through Facebook groups. Their broader mission is to accelerate AR and VR adoption in Africa, expand access to VR across the continent, and connect African XR players with the global industry.
On May 25, Imisi 3D, in conjunction with partners across the continent, will publish an Africa XR Report, offering a snapshot of the African XR ecosystem. This report will encompass companies, startups, freelancers, and academics working in immersive technologies in Africa, focusing initially on the English-speaking region and subsequently expanding to the Francophone community. The report aims to identify key actors, establish an XR network in Africa, and raise awareness of Africa's XR initiatives.
- The African XR delegation, showcasing at the VR/AR exhibition, represents a fusion of finance and technology, with companies focusing on content creation, hardware, and education.
- As part of its broader mission, Imisi 3D aims to promote sustainable living by expanding access to virtual reality (VR) across Africa and accelerating adoption of AR and VR.
- The African XR Report, to be published by Imisi 3D and partners, will highlight personal-finance opportunities in the XR sector, encompassing companies, startups, freelancers, and academics.
- With a focus on lifelong learning, Imisi 3D facilitates online education in XR, providing resources for learners interested in artificial intelligence, gadgets, smartphones, home-and-garden, business, lifestyle, real-estate, and sustainable-living.
- The participating student team, winners of the 2020 AR/VR Africa hackathon, showcased their investing skills by developing innovative XR solutions.
- The Africa XR Report will initially focus on the English-speaking region but aims to extend its scope to the Francophone community, promoting collaboration between African XR players and the global industry.
- The VR/AR exhibition offers African companies a chance to connect with the international community, thereby opening doors for travel and building global business relationships.
- Imisi 3D operates in various sectors, including education, art, and technology, fostering a community of XR creators through offline meetups, online communities, and VR labs in schools.
