https://qz.com/meta-wants-to-bring-the-metaverse-to-africans-through-t-1849886796
https://thepaypers.com/cryptocurrencies/meta-launches-a-new-metaverse-experience-in-africa--1259293
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Meta is Working to Increase Metaverse Usage in Africa
Meta is in the business of expanding access to the metaverse. Meta and other large companies have been focusing on education and adoption of metaverse applications, and Africa is of particular importance in the development of these technologies.
Since the average cost of a VR headset is between $300-$400, it is inaccessible to many around the world. But, the smartphone is cheap and owned by billions worldwide. According to projections, the metaverse could add 1.8% to the GDP of Sub-Saharan Africa and represents the chance to empower the people of Africa to create and build wealth. Africa is also a fertile ground for development of metaverse applications with a population of 1-billion and a large contingent of young people who will adopt this new technology.
Africa has a large number of young people, and has the potential to grow the metaverse application usage rate substantially, but the way the metaverse is accessed needs to be assessed as well. Meta is making investments in education about the benefits of the metaverse in Africa, and has invested $50 million doing so. Countries in Africa that have been identified as major drivers of growth for metaverse applications and usage and the young population makes adoption more likely over time.
A VR headset is the biggest roadblock for metaverse usage adoption. Meta does not plan to lower the cost of their headset hardware currently, and the $300-$400 is out of reach of many Africans in the developing world. However, smartphones are ubiquitous and well-suited for many metaverse applications. Recently, companies have pursued smartphone metaverse applications and technologies that involve scanning faces and bodies that are used as avatars in 2D applications that do not require VR headsets to access the metaverse. It is likely that smartphone metaverse applications will inspire interest and growth until the cost of VR headsets decreases due to manufacturing efficiencies similar to what happened with the smartphone.
Ubuntuland is Africa’s metaverse, and large companies including Meta and the MTN Group are fostering growth and working to increase metaverse participation. Recently, MTN group purchased land in Ubuntuland for metaverse events hosting and education and Meta has been working to showcase the metaverse through concerts utilizing VR and augmented reality (AR).
The metaverse will continue to grow through investment and adoption and Africa will play a huge role in both of these aspects. I am excited to see the growth potential and the expansion that is happening on the metaverse.
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