Africa is taking a dive into the “Metaverse”
By Zion Rufus
As it turns out, the next “big thing” after the internet is projected to be the “Metaverse”, and with the rapid penetration of AI, AR, and VR (Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality), sooner than expected, the Metaverse is set to change the way we socialize, work, and interact in a more virtual world.
Although it doesn’t exist yet, Facebook, one of the biggest tech companies interested in creating a Metaverse, described it as a set of virtual spaces where people can create and explore with other people who aren’t in the same physical spaces as them. According to Facebook, you’ll be able to hang out with friends, work, play, learn, shop, create and more. The tech giant also announced that it’s creating 10,000 new jobs across the European Union to help make the building of the Metaverse a reality.
Facebook announced in September: “We are at the start of a journey to help build the next computing platform. Working with others, we’re developing what is often referred to as the metaverse — a new phase of interconnected virtual experiences using technologies like virtual and augmented reality. At its heart is the idea that by creating a greater sense of “virtual presence”, interacting online can become much closer to the experience of interacting in person. The metaverse has the potential to help unlock access to new creative, social and economic opportunities.”
However, disclosing Africa’s inclusion in the creation of the Metaverse, Facebook stated: “The metaverse won’t be built overnight by a single company. We’ll collaborate with policymakers, experts and industry partners to bring this to life.We’re announcing a $50 million investment in global research and program partners to ensure these products are developed responsibly. We’re working with the Organization of American States on job training and skills development for students, creators and small business owners. Across Africa, we’re supporting Africa No Filter, Electric South and Imisi3D to support creators who have been pushing the boundaries of digital storytelling using immersive technology through “Amplifying African Voices.” With Women In Immersive Tech, we are supporting women and underrepresented groups driving Europe’s virtual, augmented and mixed reality sectors. As a part of this effort, we are also facilitating independent external research with institutions across the globe.”
Speaking on Africa’s participation in the tech innovation, International Consultant in Strategy & Development and Co-founder of Afric’Up and Africa in Colors, Mohamed Zoghlami in an interview shared by Africa News Agency said: “In Africa, we no longer want to be only consumers, we want to be actors, to influence, to embrace technology, and to think about our future as well as that of the entire humanity. The COVID crisis, which revealed the innovations and skills of local start-ups, has brought about many advances in our African latitudes and demonstrated a real creative buzz, in key sectors related to AI, IoT, blockchain and or even cryptocurrencies.”
Zoghlami stated further: “When we know that in Africa, mobile plays a crucial role in the digital revolution, we can think that the “born-digital” of the continent will quickly meet the challenge of the Metaverse, by developing applications and services around a mobile digital space that resembles them. This is how we will be able to build our own virtual storytelling, based on our African traditions and values such as Ubuntu; this feeling of belonging and uniqueness of the human and African community leading to cooperation and sharing.”
Furthermore, it is crucial to ensure that Africa’s primary resource, its youth, can adapt effectively as the fourth industrial revolution, because soon the Metaverse will reshape the skills of the future. Since age tends to be an important barometer of digital savvy, technology adoption skyrockets as these born-digital come of age. When we know that in Africa, mobile plays a crucial role in the digital revolution, we can think that the “born-digital” of the continent will quickly meet the challenge of the Metaverse, by developing applications and services around a mobile digital space that resembles them.
Research company, CB Insights revealed that brands and retailers are beginning to explore ways to foster new forms of customer engagement in the metaverse to sell more products, fintechs are jumping on the opportunity to capitalize on new financial needs, while a slew of startups are creating new virtual products entirely, from avatars to crypto collectibles. Besides Facebook, some of the other companies building the foundational blocks to the metaverse include Microsoft, Niantic, Roblox Corporation, Epic Games, and Magic Leap.
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