Techies Launch Assault on Content Market

Another factor that has driven the growing field is the emergence of a younger, more tech-savvy workforce.

Research shows that one substantial obstacle to attaining a critical mass of broadband users is the lack of compelling applications and content at a local level.

iHub hopes to cash in on these factors said to have positioned Kenya as a competitive IT hub.

“It’s an open space for the technologists, investors, tech companies and hackers in the area. This space is a tech community facility with a focus on young entrepreneurs, web and mobile phone programmers and designers. It is part open community workspace (co-working), part vector for investors and venture funds and part incubator,” said Ms Colaco.

Over the last two years, the content development industry has become one of the most vibrant industries in the country, where Kenyan developers forge links and cement deals with international partners.

A recent example is the Homeboyz collaboration with British company Tiger Aspect on a multi-million dollar animation project.

A set of 52 eleven minute episodes were animated in Kenya for the show known as Tinga Tinga Tales, a new animated preschool series.

Developers said Tinga Tinga Tales would feature animal stories that have been passed down through generations all over Africa.

Led by a young, cheeky monkey, the cast and their world are brought to life with a mix of distinctively African colour, pattern and music.

The style is based on the famous Tinga Tinga art of Tanzania and all images are being hand-painted by local African artists and imported into computers for animation.

Working with Homeboyz in Nairobi, Tiger Aspect set up a fully equipped animation studio in Kenya, working with local designers, writers, musicians and animators.

Once production on the first season wraps, the studio will continue to support a new animation industry in East Africa, encouraging the creation of original content that will work in the international arena.

“This is one of the most ambitious projects we’ve ever taken on,” said Andrew Zein, Tiger Aspect managing director.

After two years of design and production at Homeboyz studios, Tinga Tinga finally went on air in late January, having been sold to BBC and Disney.

iHub seeks to increase the number of synergies between local developers and international firms.