Cape Town and Johannesburg – The Ayoba Gaming Hackathon 2023, a groundbreaking event aimed at empowering African game developers, recently concluded with resounding success. The hackathon brought together talented individuals from across Africa to collaborate, create, and innovate in the gaming industry. We had the opportunity to sit down with Ms. Shiela Yabo, the Head of Ecosystem Development at Ayoba, to discuss her thoughts on the event and Ayoba’s future plans.
Ms. Yabo expressed her excitement about the proceedings, stating that the event exceeded expectations in many ways. The caliber of talent and the diverse skillsets present in the room left her impressed. As a self-proclaimed gaming enthusiast, Ms. Yabo confessed that she discovered there was much more to the world of gaming than she initially thought.
The Ayoba Gaming Hackathon 2023 proved to be an incredible experience for all involved. The event successfully convened young people in Cape Town and Johannesburg, with additional virtual participants joining from across the continent. Ms. Yabo emphasized the importance of continuous growth and collaboration, expressing her hope that the event’s impact would extend beyond its conclusion.
“One of our goals is to continue building and developing games for Africa that truly matter,”
Ms. Yabo stated.
She underscored the significance of inspiring African youth to see the potential in game development and emphasized the need to foster a culture of creation and innovation. Ms. Yabo firmly believes that Africa has the talent and creativity to produce world-class games, challenging the notion that game development is limited to a select few.
When asked about the collaborative nature of the event, Ms. Yabo highlighted the importance of identifying and leveraging the strengths of each participant. She emphasized the value of partnering with organizations like Geekulcha, known for their expertise in hosting hackathons while maintaining a shared vision. Ms. Yabo believes that such collaborations foster synergistic relationships and produce truly magical outcomes.
As one of the judges at the Ayoba Gaming Hackathon 2023, Ms. Yabo shared insights into the selection process. She emphasized the challenge of choosing winners from a highly competitive pool of participants. Ms. Yabo’s primary criteria focused on team motivation, demonstrated effort, and creativity, with a particular emphasis on African-inspired content.
Looking toward the future, Ms. Yabo shared some exciting plans for Ayoba and its partners. She revealed that another hackathon is already in the works, although this time the theme will not revolve around gaming. She encouraged interested individuals to follow Ayoba and Geekulcha for updates on the upcoming event. Additionally, Ayoba supports various incubation and acceleration programs both locally and internationally, showcasing their commitment to nurturing talent in the ecosystem.
However, Ms. Yabo also emphasized the importance of individual initiative and encouraged participants to explore what they can bring to the Ayoba platform. Ayoba welcomes collaboration and is open to innovative ideas, provided they demonstrate dedication, motivation, and a well-executed plan. The Ayoba team, headed by Ms. Yabo, eagerly awaits opportunities to continue working with the bright minds they encountered during the hackathon.
The Ayoba Gaming Hackathon 2023 has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the African gaming landscape. By empowering African game developers and fostering collaboration, Ayoba is leading the charge in building a vibrant gaming ecosystem for the continent. With Ms. Sheila Yabo at the helm, Ayoba’s commitment to supporting talent and pushing
