Digital Lab Africa is integrating the Digital Content Hub launched July 9 at Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct (founded by Wits University). An incubator for innovative audio-visual content (animation, virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, holograms, 360° video, web content, video games, applications, web series and music) the Hub was developed in partnership with Agence Francaise de Developpement and the French Institute of South Africa.
This is the first investment by AFD in the area of digital innovation in Southern Africa and reflects the organisation’s new focus on financing cultural, creative and tech industries as key players in local economic development.
The notion of a Digital Content Hub was born from an existing collaboration between Tshimologong and Digital Lab Africa. Tshimologong and IFAS have thus joined forces to integrate the existing Digital Lab Africa system within a new physical incubator project, which will include:
- Incorporation of training modules focused on content development in Tshimologong’s Skills Development Academy; French institutions will support Tshimologong in developing new curricula, training trainers and arranging exchanges of staff and students between France and South Africa;
- Introduction of a two-year skills development program focused on gaming and animation in order to develop a skills pipeline for the creative and digital economy;
- Integration of Digital Lab Africa into Tshimologong’s existing start-up incubation program.
By 2021, Tshimologong is expected to have fully incorporated digital content development into its activities in a self-sustainable manner. And the Precinct is broadening its current partnership base to include South African and French companies with a view to fostering expertise exchange, skills transfer and business opportunities for French and African business.
Established in 2016 in the vibrant inner-city district of Braamfontein, Johannesburg, Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct incubates digital entrepreneurs and grows the skills pipeline for the digital economy through collaboration with academia, corporate partners, government and entrepreneurs.
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