The 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was held this year as the world continues to look at complex socio-economic issues. Many economies are still battling the Kovid-19 crisis.
And with only eight more years to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the burden of ending poverty, responding to climate change and achieving equality for all are clearly focused solutions to address these crises. Indicates urgency.
These are global problems that will take coordination, time and effort from around the world to solve. In Africa – home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world – startups and creators are leading a digital revolution that can have a positive impact around the world.
By working to develop technology that could one day shape the metaverse, Africa’s leaders have an opportunity to help move the world forward toward satisfying those SDGs.
This year’s UNGA theme – “A Watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges” – is a stark reminder of the journey ahead to ensure that no one is left behind as we strive towards a sustainable future. Huh. Technological efforts across Africa can help develop the transformational solutions needed.
The next chapter of the Internet is rapidly changing and transforming the massive developments affecting the world economy.
working towards a sustainable future
Although the Metaverse will take years to build, we are already seeing its potential to advance the SDGs.
Virtual and augmented realities can support a variety of global goals, from remotely training medics to advance health and wellness (SDG 3), to local leaders championing climate action to mitigate the effects of climate change (SDG 13) to help.
The potential of the metaverse in the African continent can contribute to these goals by promoting strategies that will improve health, reduce inequality and foster the economic growth needed to enhance quality of life.
We believe Africa can and will play an integral role in the metaverse, creating new ways for African brands to tell unique stories, esports culture and new immersive experiences to consumers. This reality is no longer a fantasy, as by 2035 the population of Africa is predicted to become the largest workforce in the world.
Digitization is taking center stage across the continent and changes the way we do business, create jobs, meet with friends and family and access public services. The booming startup ecosystem in Africa has been a prime example of this budding development, which has driven a wave of innovation across the continent.
This startup ecosystem continues to strengthen a digital community and signals the potential of Africa for the metaverse, the next chapter of the Internet.
A recent study prepared for META by the Independent Economic Consultancy Analysis Group estimates that if adoption of the Metaverse were to begin today and grow at the same rate as mobile technology in sub-Saharan Africa, after 10 years it would rise to 1.8%. can be added. contribution to regional GDP in 2031, or $40 billion.
So how can Africa join the race and develop solutions not only for Africa, but for the world around sustainable development?
Metaverse is also being built in Africa
In many ways, the metaverse will be a natural evolution of the Internet. We have moved primarily from text-based web services, to speech and video-based services.
The Metaverse is the next generation – a more immersive, 3D experience defined by a sense of presence, as if you are with another person or in another place. It will be much more human than the way we experience the Internet today – more physical, interactive and speech-based than flat screens full of text and images. And it has the potential to open up a world of opportunities for people across Africa.
While our vision of the Metaverse is still quite a long way off, we are seeing African companies and innovators already starting to build for this future, with a relentless appetite and desire to bring it to life here in Africa.
Just a quick glimpse into the current reality – the continent is already buzzing with creative talent and the metaverse is taking its seat at the table.
Founder of Africa’s first digital museum, Nigeria’s Mosop Olaosebikan is shaping the narrative of culture and using immersive and innovative methods of curation such as AR and VR. Pixel Chefs, a South African innovative creative agency, is harnessing emerging digital technology to create impactful experiences for both its local and global clients.
And, Kenya’s Black Rhino VR – a virtual reality production – in Nairobi is creating bespoke VR and AR solutions and content that are suited and relevant to the African and global market.
While tech companies like Meta are building for the Metaverse on the continent by investing in programs like 2Africa, which will deliver fast and reliable Internet speeds, a lot more needs to be done to build an ongoing fruitful collaboration for the Metaverse in Africa.
The move from paper to action will be a formidable ally between companies, developers, creators and policy makers. We need to work together to build an inclusive metaverse for Africa that will bridge the digital divide and ensure equal representation globally and across the continent.
Africa’s diversity and dynamism are fueling the creativity, agility, innovation and freedom that go into building a metaverse that can weave itself into sustainable development.
Source: techeconomy