Lagos, 9th November 2022 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with leading Nigerian animation studio – Magic Carpet Studios – is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the visual animation training for 30 young West and Central African Innovators from the 21st – 25th November in Lagos, Nigeria.

Over five days, young people from the region will gain hands-on experience from seasoned animators to become visual storytellers capable of developing exportable projects for platforms and studios such as Netflix, Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Illumination and Disney.

The training will focus on 2D/3D animation, motion graphics, and traditional and cut-out animation and provide the theoretical, technical, and business knowledge needed to build thriving careers in the creative industry.

“Our commitment is to make great films with great people. We are excited to work with talented people from the region in combining masterful artistry and storytelling with ground-breaking technology”, said Ferdinand Adimefe, Chief Executive Officer, Magic Carpet Studios. “Since we began our journey, we have had the opportunity to train and mentor more than 500 young people, and we are happy to add to that number through this partnership with UNDP”, he added.

For the past two decades, the global landscape has been undergoing a seismic shift in the nature and practice of traditional industries. In that time, the creative industry has become a backbone of the global economy, pushing the boundaries in how content is produced, disseminated, and consumed.

Within the global creative industry, animation offers enormous employment and economic growth opportunities for emerging economies worldwide. According to the Institute for the Future and Dell Technologies, 85% of tomorrow’s workforce, by 2030, will have jobs yet to be discovered today. In recent years, the total value of the global animation industry has been on the rise. According to a report by Precedence Research, the global market size for the animation industry peaked at US$372 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach US$587 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of 5.2%.

Amidst this growth is a shift in appetite that seems to favour African stories, presenting an opportunity to explore the African animation industry – an opportunity being capitalised on by studios like Magic Carpet Studios.

“This programme is an excellent example of what we mean when we say young people are the driving force of innovation. In a world that is constantly changing, we see young people ahead of that change”, said Nadine Rugwe Umutoni, Governance and Peacebuilding Advisor, UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa. “We are not here to dream of what is possible but to witness it in the hands of today’s youth, and UNDP is proud to support this unique initiative in West and Central Africa”, she added.

Through this partnership, UNDP, together with Magic Carpet Studios, is building the capacities of young people from West and Central Africa and supporting efforts to create the next generation of African visual storytellers to increase the continent’s stake in the global animation industry.

For More Information and Media Enquiries, Contact:

Chimezie Nwagbo, Director, Magic Lab, Magic Carpet Studios | chimezie@magiccarpet.studio

Ugochukwu Kingsley Ahuchaogu, Regional Communications Analyst, UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa | ugochukwu.kingsley@undp.org

About Magic Carpet Studios

Magic Carpet is an innovative storytelling company that creates authentic African stories for a global audience. Our stories are born out of imagination, shaped by our collective human experiences, and crafted by passionate artists and animators for a universal audience.

Learn more at https://magiccarpet.studio

About Magic Lab

Magic Lab is the training arm of Magic Carpet Studios, an award-winning innovative storytelling company. Leveraging various forms of partnerships, co-production and joint ventures with global partners, we provide practical, immersive learning experiences for trainees on several aspects of animation, from its basic principles to its different forms and styles. Through our programmes, we help young people develop in-demand animation skills that equip them to tap into emerging opportunities in the African animation industry and position them as leading storytellers and content creators.

Learn more at https://magiclab.studio

About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organisation fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

Learn more at www.undp.org/africa/waca and follow @UNDPWACA