The African Teen Tech Festival (ATTF) hosted its much-anticipated creative challenge, ATTF 2.0, at Madhouse by Tikera.
Held in collaboration with MADHOUSE, TekArtHQ, and UseLoopHQ, the event aimed to redefine creative expression in the digital realm under the theme “Empowering Emerging Creatives.”
Jeremiah, the program coordinator, opened the festival by emphasising its core mission: “Africa Teen Tech Festival is an event for teens and young adults. Our major goal is to empower young innovators in the creative and tech industries, preparing them for the future workforce and entrepreneurship.”
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Insightful Panel Sessions at the African Teen Tech Festival
The event held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, featured two engaging panel sessions. The first session included speakers Oghenetejiri Ogodo, Tobi Otun, Chike Okonkwo, and Shalom Jacobs, who discussed how emerging technologies transform the creative landscape.
Oghenetejiri Ogodo, a design and fashion entrepreneur, shared how she creates her designs from recycled materials while leveraging technology to enhance productivity. Meanwhile, Tobi Otun emphasised the importance of strategic placement as a creative. He noted, “You have to position yourself strategically where you can function so that you become a tool that uses a tool.”
On his part, Chike Okonkwo, co-founder and business developer at Gamic, talked about the future of artificial intelligence and its potential to transform various sectors in Africa. He also leveraged blockchain technology to offer gaming experiences, mainly through Web3 games.
The second-panel session featured Ifeoluwa Babalola, Daniel Adewoye, Emmytheewizard, and AK, who continued the discussion on the impact of technology on creativity.
Ifeoluwa Babalola, a creative director at SnappCode and entrepreneur, shared his journey from humble beginnings to becoming the “most booked” photographer. His story inspired attendees to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions with a positive mindset.
Showcasing Digital Creativity and Encouraging Skills/Knowledge Acquisition
The event attracted students with creative interests, technology enthusiasts, and innovators. They used the latest technologies to create unique expressions of creativity in various art forms, including visual art, graphic design, digital art, poetry, music, dance, and fashion. The vibrant mix of artistic displays showcased the boundless potential of digital creativity.
Participants gained valuable skills and knowledge through interactive sessions and hands-on activities. The event underscored the importance of integrating technology with creativity to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth.
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In efforts to find lasting solutions, the consultation saw representatives from civil society, government agencies, and community and religious leaders brainstorming on various strategies. These included community engagement, awareness campaigns, cooperative frameworks, policy reviews, and securing funding.
Grassroots involvement was emphasised to educate local communities about online child abuse. Using both mainstream and digital platforms, public-private partnerships and media engagement were highlighted as crucial for raising awareness and effectively leveraging resources to combat the issue.
The organisers have scheduled the next edition of the African Teen Tech Festival 2.0 for later in the year, promising to continue empowering and inspiring the next generation of creative and tech-savvy young people.
ATTF 2.0 successfully brought together diverse talents and stakeholders, setting the stage for continued innovation and collaboration in the years to come.