Come February 25, 2021, digital innovators and experts from across some of Africa’s key creative sectors including fashion, film, music, and XR, will come together to share their experiences and successes from the year of COVID-19, and for a post-COVID world that will be forever changed.
The programme, Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), put in place by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to support Africa’s creative and cultural industries announced a series of virtual forums in the lead-up to the Intra-African Trade Fair 2021 (IATF2021).
Tagged African Creatives; Earn From Innovation, the programme is specifically designed for African creatives looking for ways to monetise their content across the digital landscape. The forum will be a space to share, discuss and create solutions that will encourage creatives to find innovative ways to use existing technology to increase their remuneration and thrive in their careers.
The event will be moderated by Ms. Yandile Nuku – Founder, GIQ Media, Botswana, while a star-studded cast has confirmed their participation at the event.
The panel includes Mr. Brian Afande – Managing Director, BlackRhinoVR, Kenya, Ms. Badrriya Henry – Founder, Fashion Foresight, United Arab Emirates, Mr. Haytham Nawar – Director, Cairotronica, Egypt.
Others include Ms. Martha Huro – Managing Director, East Africa, Boomplay, Kenya, Mr. Shai Evian – Chief Executive Officer, Howler, South Africa.
This first event will kick-start the conversation in the build-up to the Creative Africa Nexus Programme that will take place at the Intra-African Trade Fair 2021 (IATF2021) from 6 – 12 September in Kigali, Rwanda.
Recall that throughout 2020, lockdowns were declared across the world, as was the new norm of working from home. Almost overnight, the digital world became the only means of connecting to work, family, friends, and colleagues. The lack of physical events and gatherings had a particularly adverse impact on the creative sector.
However, creatives across Africa and the world rose to this challenge, and despite the many barriers and challenges presented by COVID-19, creatives from across sectors were able to develop innovative ideas and leverage off technologically driven solutions.
From 3D fashion shows and virtual concerts, hybrid film festivals, and gallery exhibitions, African creatives are already ahead of the game and have a lot to share with their peers and those in other sectors.
This virtual event will see some of the top innovators who will also be on hand at the CANEX Summit, at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021) where this important discussion will be continued.
