Bridging Innovation and Education: Game Development Comes to Life at JHUB Africa
At JHUB Africa, our mission is to drive sustainable digital transformation by providing accessible and impactful solutions for small and medium-scale farmers, trade, and enterprises. This vision took an exciting new dimension during a focused tech session at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where students explored the intersection of gaming, education, and African storytelling.
Industry Expertise Meets Student Innovation
We were honored to host Rayfrank Kibaara, founder of Raytech Games, whose pioneering work centers on creating games rooted in African history and realities, such as the Mau Mau uprising. Rayfrank’s approach perfectly aligns with JHUB Africa’s commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering innovation that reflects our unique African contexts and narratives.
Hands-On Learning: From Concept to Creation
The session was remarkably interactive, with all participating students either actively engaged in gaming projects or expressing strong interest in game development. What set this workshop apart was its practical approach—Rayfrank led a live, hands-on demonstration, developing a simple game with the students in just 10 minutes using Unity and C#.
This immersive exercise allowed students to experience the fundamentals of game development firsthand, including game logic, physics implementation, environmental design, player interaction, and advanced audio integration. The workshop bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, a core principle of JHUB Africa’s educational philosophy.
Exploring Cutting-Edge Technologies
Beyond the basics, Rayfrank introduced students to cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of game development. Participants gained insight into revolutionary tools like Nanite and Lumen, and witnessed a demonstration of MetaHuman game creation, providing a glimpse into the future of digital character development.
These advanced concepts expanded students’ understanding of what’s possible in the gaming industry and inspired them to think beyond conventional boundaries in their own creative endeavors.
Education Through Gaming: The Edumeta Preview
A highlight of the session was the preview of Edumeta, an educational game designed to make learning interactive and engaging for students. Edumeta features multiple modules, with cybersecurity as one of the core topics, illustrating how gaming can be leveraged as an effective educational tool for addressing real-world challenges.
This demonstration perfectly embodied JHUB Africa’s vision of using technology not just for entertainment, but as a powerful medium for education and social impact across various sectors.
Open Dialogue: Questions and Insights
The event included a dedicated student interaction session, where participants engaged directly with Rayfrank, asking questions about game development, storytelling techniques, and the process of building games specifically for African audiences. Rayfrank provided practical answers and advice, fostering an open environment for learning and inspiration.
This exchange of ideas created a valuable mentorship moment, connecting students with industry realities and possibilities they might not encounter in traditional classroom settings.
JHUB Africa’s Vision in Action
This session exemplified JHUB Africa’s core mission: serving as a hub that nurtures young talent, encourages hands-on learning, and supports the development of innovative solutions tailored to African needs and contexts. Students left with new skills, insights, and motivation to pursue their own creative projects in the gaming industry.
Acknowledgments
We extend our sincere gratitude to Rayfrank Kibaara for sharing his expertise and journey, and to Dr. Lawrence Nderu, Founder of JHUB Africa and Chairman of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Department of Computing, for facilitating this valuable mentorship experience.
Join the Game Development Community at JHUB Africa
Are you passionate about game development, African storytelling, or educational technology? JHUB Africa is building a vibrant community of innovators in these fields. We invite game developers, storytellers, educators, and industry professionals to partner with us as mentors or workshop facilitators for our student community. For students interested in game development, watch for upcoming workshops and join our specialized interest groups. Companies looking to recruit fresh talent or sponsor game development initiatives can connect with our pool of creative developers. Together, we can build an ecosystem that nurtures African game development talent and creates games that tell our stories. Contact us at info.jhub@jkuat.ac.ke to learn how you can participate in shaping the future of African game development.