BlackRhino VR Debuts Africa’s Pioneering No-Code AR Platform For Creatives

BlackRhino VR, a leading Kenyan extended reality tech company, has launched MediAR.

The groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) platform aims to revolutionize how creators engage with AR technology, empowering them within Africa’s burgeoning creative economy.

Empowering Creatives, Democratizing Tech

BlackRhino VR was founded by in 2015 by medical student-turned-filmmaker Michael Ilako and deejay-turned-brand manager Brian Afande.

The company’s no-code AR cloud editor and publishing platform, MediAR, is positioned as Africa’s first.

As a no-code platform, creatives can produce AR content without any previous coding or programming experience.

MediAR features an intuitive drag-and-drop technology, significantly reducing the learning curve typically associated with coding AR solutions.

MediAR also enables content creators and brands to coexist in a digital ecosystem through an inclusive revenue share model based on pay-per-view services.

As per Techpoint Africa, the platform also allows creators to manage projects and track viewer engagement, with 20% of the view price paid to creators.

“Our primary objectives are to empower Africa’s youth, who are the innovators of the future,” said BlackRhino VR co-founder and CEO Brian Afande, per Music in Africa.

“We also want to demystify the notion that Africa is only a consumer of technology and demonstrate that there are numerous innovative African technological solutions that are being developed to solve the continent’s challenges.”

economic growth and educational advancement

MediAR was developed with €180,000 ($200,000) funding from the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union under the Ignite Culture program.

The initiative has garnered support from major stakeholders, including the British Council and HEVA Fund in East Africa.

The platform is expected to create an economic ecosystem specializing in AR goods, products, and services, contributing to job creation, poverty reduction, and overall socio-economic development in Africa.

According to BlackRhino VR’s managing director, Shamina Rajab, the technology can revolutionize education by transforming classrooms into immersive experiences.

BlackRhino VR’s MediAR platform marks a significant milestone in AR development, particularly for the African creative sector. By enabling easier access and creation of AR content, it not only democratizes technology but also opens up new avenues for