In collaboration with Imisi 3D and BlackRhino VR, Meta has announced that applications are now open for the AR/VR Africa Metathon.

The AR/VR Africa Metathon is a collection of activities and events run by the Meta Global XR Fund with the goal of assisting African XR talent in developing cutting-edge solutions that highlight the different applications of the Metaverse in Africa.

The AR/VR Metathon will have three major components including a training program, an Africa-wide hackathon that will be physically and virtually open to all in 16 countries in Africa, followed by an intensive bootcamp to develop solutions. These components will run from Mid August – April 2023.

Phil Oduor, the Policy Program Lead for Africa at META said, ”The AR/VR Africa Metathon is an opportunity to demonstrate that the artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality technologies that have been around for decades are core to the future of the metaverse and what Africans are building in the industry.”

Oduor further added, “The XR Programs and Research Fund is a two-year $50 million investment into programs and external research focused on building the metaverse responsibly. Through this fund, we are collaborating with industry partners, civil rights groups, governments, nonprofits, and academic institutions to determine how to build these technologies responsibly. This is why we have partnered with Imisi 3D and BlackRhino VR, an extended reality ecosystem developer, and a virtual reality production company, that represents Africa’s creative and innovative landscape, to launch this program to support African XR talent who are building innovative solutions that demonstrate the various aspects of the metaverse in Africa.”

Judith Okonkwo, Founder of Imisi 3D & AR/VR Africa also commented saying, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Meta and BlackRhino VR for the 2022 edition. This year’s AR/VR Africa Metathon brings together our AR/VR Africa pre-hackathon training, hackathon, and bootcamp in one program. Working with partners in 16 countries, it is our biggest and most ambitious event yet providing even greater access for XR. At this time of intense global interest in the Metaverse, our mission remains the same and that is increasing access to XR resources on the continent, accelerating XR talent, showcasing African XR solutions, and creating pathways for careers and industry.”

“We are honored and elated to have partnered with Meta and Imis 3D on this promising project. The Metathon will encourage exploration and discovery among young African creative technologists who will have the opportunity to develop Afrocentric XR use cases that will tackle some of the unique challenges they are facing in our continent. This type of collaboration is what Africa needs to highlight the potential of new and untapped socioeconomic opportunities created by XR Technologies,” commented Brian Afande, Co-founder and Managing Director, BlackRhino VR.