A colourful display of African cultural attire is the last thing one expects to see at an international tech conference set in the heart of Dubai. Donned in regal traditional outfits, Nigerian creativesactor Timini Egbuson, DJ SL, and celebrity stylist Swanky Jerrytook the stage at GITEX Dubai on October 14 to speak on the future of Africas creative economy.
Africas creator economy is experiencing unprecedented growth, fueled by the popularity of Afrobeat, and multi-million dollar venture capital investments in globally acclaimed film projects like The Black Book . Africas global export of creative goods is projected to hit 200 billion in 2030.
Yet, the three Nigerian creatives say the global attention the countrys creative economy is getting is only the tip of the iceberg.
There are countless undiscovered and undeveloped talent across Africa. I believe this untapped potential represents a significant opportunity for growth in the African music industry, DJ SL said.
There is increased optimism for the potential of the creative industry particularly for the next generation of creatives. The success of current players has made more parents who would otherwise not consider creative jobs low-status compared to sectors like tech, and banking are now taking creative aspirations more.
