Applications are now open for Roots & Pixels, a fully funded international training programme offering female-identifying game developers from South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda an opportunity to participate in a two-week development programme hosted in Belgium.

The initiative, scheduled to run from 15–26 March 2027, will bring together a cohort of 17 female game developers from Belgium and partner countries in Africa for a collaborative programme focused on game development, industry skills, and designing games for impact.

Roots & Pixels is specifically targeted at women with at least junior-level experience in game development or adjacent creative and digital industries, making it accessible not only to programmers and designers but also creatives working across production, art, storytelling, community management, and other related disciplines.

The programme will host nine intercontinental participants alongside eight Belgium-based developers at Howest Digital Arts and Entertainment campuses in Kortrijk, Belgium. Week one focuses on masterclasses and workshops while week two transitions into a collaborative game jam environment.

Importantly, organisers say travel, accommodation, training costs, and daily per diem expenses are fully covered for intercontinental participants thanks to support from VLIRUOS, significantly reducing one of the biggest barriers preventing African developers from participating in international opportunities.

For many African developers particularly women working within smaller ecosystems or emerging studios access to international networks, mentorship opportunities, and global collaboration remains limited despite rapid ecosystem growth across the continent.

Over the past decade, African game development communities have expanded significantly, with growing studio ecosystems, educational initiatives, game jams, and independent development scenes emerging across multiple markets. Yet talent mobility and access to international industry networks remain persistent challenges for many creators.

The initiative’s emphasis on games for impact is particularly notable as African developers increasingly explore educational games, cultural storytelling projects, socially conscious experiences, and games that address local challenges and perspectives.

For women developers across South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda looking to expand their skills, build international networks, and connect with peers from multiple regions, applications for Roots & Pixels are now officially open.

Applications remain open until 16 August 2026 at www.rootspixels.be