Rwanda: Event focuses on Africa's creative industry

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - More than 1,500 people from across the world have gathered in Rwandan’s capital Kigali for a two-day event dedicated to promoting growth and exchange within the creative and cultural industry.

The Creative Africa Exchange, set to conclude Saturday, features creative talents from the music, arts, design, fashion, literature, publishing, film, and TV sectors as well as senior government officials responsible for culture and the creative economy from 68 countries around the world.

Co-organized by Times Multimedia (TMM) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the event features about 250 exhibitors, including some of Africa’s leading talents.

The event also features notable African and global actors, musicians, and entrepreneurs including Idris Elba, Steve Harvey, Djimmon Housou, D’Banj, and ZeeTM.

They are set to share the stage with top African stars such as Flavour N’bania and D’Banj.

The event is expected to give exhibitors and participants the opportunity to network, create business opportunities, consider investment proposals, and boost their customer bases.

Speaking at the event, Rwandan Trade Minister Soraya Hakuziyaremye stressed the need to change people’s views on the issues of piracy and intellectual property rights by taking bold action for their protection.

On the need to support the growth and development of creative and cultural industries in Africa, Benedict Oramah, the head of Afreximbank, said the time is ripe for the creative industry to take advantage of Africa’s single market launched last year to reach a wider market.

The bank believes creative industry products are critical for driving down youth unemployment and promoting innovation.

According to technology entrepreneur Birame Sock, creative industry stakeholders will use the event to seek solutions to challenges facing the creative industry in Africa, from funding to getting final products to market.

The event is expected to attract over $2 billion in trade and investment deals, according to organizers.