Africa in Metaverse / What is our Role? What is our Gain

November 23, 2022
Anusiem Ikenna
Technology,
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Africa in Metaverse

While the invasion of technology overruns the whole world, Metaverse has become a neighborhood name.

It’s about time to pose the question, what is the role of Africa in Metaverse? What are our opportunities if we queue into Metaverse at its infant stage? Join me as we take this short but exciting journey of “Africa in Metaverse”.

What is Metaverse?

Africa in metaverse sounds like a new concept, but generally, the term “metaverse” is not as novel as you imagine.

The metaverse has existed for a while now. The first book to describe this phenomenon was the 1992 book Snow Crash.

Based on this concept, various businesses later developed virtual communities; the most well-known is 2003's Second Life.

The term "Metaverse" describes the networked, VR/AR-focused digital platforms of the present and the future.

The IT sector and others will have a lot of commercial and financial prospects thanks to what is generally considered the next stage of the internet.

The words "meta" and "universe" are combined to form the term "metaverse." The term is usually linked to Web 3.0, the upcoming Internet generation.

Metaverse uses avatars to establish the identities of its users. These users appear as avatars (Cartoon-like identities)during social interactions and community creation.

In the metaverse, digital cash is used to buy items like clothing, armor, and weaponry. With a VR headset, users may easily explore the metaverse for amusement or other reasons.

What is the role of Africa in Metaverse?

The dedication of Meta to the inclusion of Africa in metaverse is demonstrated by the recent opening of its second office in Africa in Lagos, Nigeria.

The office has a staff of engineers to service the Sub-Saharan area, making it the first office in Africa to do so.

Meta has also established a two-year $50 million XR Program and Research fund to develop the metaverse further. This funding will provide financing for a program called "Future Africa: Telling Stories, Building Worlds."

To empower creators to boost African voices and push the frontiers of digital storytelling, the firm will collaborate with Africa No Filter, Electric South, and Imisi3D as part of the initiative.

The initiative supports VR storytellers with funds, coaching, and assistance as they create fresh and fascinating material about Africa. It shows creative storytelling that challenges negative notions about Africa as a continent.

This startup culture is still growing and points to Africa in metaverse, the next phase of the internet as promising.

According to a recent study conducted for Meta by the independent economic consultancy Analysis Group, if Sub-Saharan Africa were to start adopting the metaverse today and see growth comparable to that of mobile technology after 10 years, the region's GDP would increase by 1.8%, or $40 billion, in 2031.

Moreover, Africa’s diversity and dynamism, coupled with its unrivaled creativity, will weave itself around Metaverse, making Africa in Metaverse an outstanding reality.

Africa in Metaverse, What Africa Stands to Gain

A different form of entertainment: People may watch concerts by their favorite musicians without leaving their homes' comfort because of metaverse technology.

Developers may produce holograms using augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) to improve and immerse users in the experiences.

Two well-known online gaming platforms, "Fortnite" and "Roblox," have previously hosted virtual concerts with well-known artists like Twenty One Pilots, Travis Scott, and Ariana Grande.

These virtual performances have already attracted millions of viewers, and there will be many more in the future in the metaverse.

African entertainers are already making the wave, most of them winning grammy awards. The metaverse will provide another avenue for them to perform for their fans.

The excitement will increase for performers and fans once Africa In metaverse becomes a reality.

Employment Opportunities: The battle to overcome unemployment in Africa is far from won.

The advent of the metaverse is giving rise to a new breed of IT and hybrid occupations, much like the evolution of Web 2.0, mobile technology, and Internet of Things devices.

The acceptance of Metaverse by Africa will create job opportunities. Such opportunities include Metaverse marketing specialists, Storytellers, and 3D engineers, to mention a few.

In the metaverse economy, careers and job options are growing. Even while computer science and engineering will account for a large portion of the new occupations, people with exceptional soft skills, technical proficiency, and business knowledge will have chances in non-technical or hybrid professions.

Users that take the initiative to adapt to the metaverse and hone their skills are more likely to succeed. Are we prepared to explore the metaverse and make use of its possibilities?

Integrated learning: In the metaverse, we may interact with 3D things and engage in exploratory learning.

Geographical barriers to education may be removed by the metaverse, enabling anyone, at any time, to study with anyone with a similar interest.

Novel Advert platform for brands: The metaverse provides tremendous advertising potential for African businesses.

Companies, marketers, and advertisers will now have an excellent opportunity to reach devoted metaverse consumers.

A New Lifestyle: The worldview has undoubtedly advanced because of the Covid-19 epidemic. Business conferences and meetings might increasingly take place online in today's globalized environment.

Most virtual meetings will transition to the metaverse, where avatars can sit face-to-face and read one another's faces.

"Virtual reality enables us to recognize ourselves in technology once more. People have thus believed that technology will limit our influence and participation worldwide.

The metaverse will provide Africans with a new way of existing in the future once we queue into it.

Exciting Customer Interaction: In the future, African businesses can purchase billboard space as clients explore virtual environments, and the metaverse may eventually open up new narrative avenues.

For specialized advertising campaigns and immersive experiences that let customers engage and interact with items, African businesses may invest in cutting-edge 360-degree movies.

Conclusion

Metaverse has come to stay, and Africa has a chance to play an essential role in its expansion.

Africa in metaverse will create more opportunities for the beautiful continent, and I believe it's in our best interest to adopt the beauty of the Metaverse.

Reference

vanguardngr.com - The metaverse will open up new opportunities for Africa, the globe

Africa in Metaverse / What is our Role? What is our Gain