Reimagining Collaboration in XR Lessons from the Global Collaboration Village 2025

The African Food Alliance (TAFA) Launch Agriculture and youth empowermentThe challenge Africa lacked a unified platform where youth leaders across the continent could co- create food system solutions, share knowledge and build momentum as a cross-border coalition. Logistical hurdles – visa issues, flights, time zones – had long limited continent- wide collaboration. The Village’s role The Village provided a vital launchpad for the African Food Alliance (TAFA), allowing young African leaders to connect virtually across regions. Instead of flying to meet up, participants met in a shared immersive space – reducing costs and overcoming time-zone and visa barriers. The launch took place from the African Union headquarters, with contributors joining live from multiple countries. Participants found the experience more integrated than standard videoconferencing. Rather than static screens, the shared environment made room for deeper engagement and stronger alignment. Participants Alumni of the Global Shaper community, youth farmers, technologists and community champions collaborated to present, ratify and launch the initiative. Key moment A TAFA leader presented launch documents live from Nigeria while others participated from Ethiopia and beyond – demonstrating the power of virtual collaboration for a pan- African alliance. This is us – from all four corners of Africa – meeting and feeling as if we were holding hands and launching an initiative. Normally, visas, travel and distance would’ve made this impossible. That barrier has just been broken.” Adam Amoussou, TAFA Co-Founder2024USE CASE 9 25 Copyright: © Global Collaboration Village: World Economic Forum, Accenture and Microsoft. All rights reserved Reimagining Collaboration in XR: Lessons from the Global Collaboration Village 25