Kenya’s creatives set to benefit as Japan taps sector for talent
Kenyan content creators to benefit from a new deal seeking to expose them to the Japan industry.
Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI), a leading digital career accelerator and LunaTone, a Software-as-a-Services (SaaS) provider specialising in digital content based in Tokyo, Japan signed the deal yesterday.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) includes masterclasses, remote work assignments and an incubator, offering Africans paid placements with international companies in the digital content industry, specifically gaming and related business areas.
Dubbed the “Digital Content Aprenticeship”, the partnership will provide digital content partnerships in content business areas including gaming, e-sports and metaverse, providing Japanese content development companies access to top-tier talent across Africa.
In Kenya, digital gaming has been on an upward trajectory as the industry is quickly shaking off the narrative that gaming is for kids and idlers.
In 2019, Kenya was ranked the eighth most popular gaming hub in Africa with the local market projected to reach Sh13.89 billion ($118 million) in 2022 up from Sh7.42 billion ($63 million) in 2017, according to PwC. Laila Macharia, ADMI Chair, lauded the partnership as it comes at a time when the continent needs it. She said the partnership will go a long way in helping Africa solve the unemployment challenge.
“It is estimated that the shortage of tech workers will reach 85 million by 2030. Meanwhile, many African countries are facing an unemployment challenge. We believe that with targeted skilling and support, Africa’s youth can bridge the global talent gap,” she said
High internet penetration, a youthful population and fast adoption of technology, have been among the key reasons for the rise of gaming in Kenya.
Skilled professionals
LunaTone Founder and CEO Baro Hyun said the partnership will help augment talent in the Japanese industry which is experiencing a severe shortage of skilled professionals.
“The partnership will mentor creatives to serve the Japanese digital content sector by producing viable commercial games and other animated and extended reality content,” he said.
Hun further noted that the partnership will also introduce Japanese companies to Africa, not just as a market for products and services, but also as a talent pipeline.
Figures by the ministry of Labour indicates that there are currently over four million Kenyans working abroad, remitting revenue of over Sh400 billion to the country yearly.
