The Pan-African Unreal Developer Festival marks a significant milestone in Africa’s game development scene, representing the first synchronized multi-city Unreal Engine event across the continent. Scheduled for October 26th, 2024, the pioneering festival connects five major African tech hubs – Nairobi, Dakar, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Lagos – in a simultaneous celebration of game development technology.

The festival, organized by PAGG (Pan Africa Gaming Group) with Epic Games’ sponsorship, goes beyond being just a technical workshop. It represents a paramount intentional step in democratizing access to advanced game development knowledge across Africa.

What makes this event particularly relevant is its focus on Unreal Engine 5, which is at the forefront of modern game development. The festival addresses Africa’s growing need for expertise in high-end game development tools, particularly as the continent’s gaming industry evolves from primarily mobile-focused development to more sophisticated platforms.

The event’s structure is thoughtfully designed to accommodate different time zones across Africa, with start times from 9 AM in West Africa to 11 AM in East Africa. Each location offers a unique blend of global expertise through Epic Games professionals and local talent showcasing their work, creating a perfect mix of international standards and African context.

This festival also represents a shift in Africa’s gaming industry, moving from being primarily consumers to becoming active creators of high-end gaming content. The inclusion of UEFN (Unreal Engine for Fortnite) in the program particularly highlights the continent’s readiness to participate in global gaming phenomena.

The timing of this event, coming just as Unreal Engine 5 is gaining traction globally, positions African developers to be part of the current wave of game development innovation, rather than playing catch-up as has often been the case historically.

What to expect at this year’s event

– Inspiring talks from Epic Games representatives, including the amazing Gaurav Mathur alongside Arvind Neelakantan.
– Real-world case studies from talented developers across Africa.
– Engaging panel discussions on animation with top industry studios.
– Interactive Q&A sessions with key leaders from Epic Games.
– Networking opportunities to connect and share insights with fellow UE developers on the continent.

Venue:

Nairobi, Dakar, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Lagos

Date:

26 October, 2024