Africa Creative Market 2025 Ignites Continent’s Creative Economy

Mary Nnah

The fourth edition of the Africa Creative Market (ACM) has set the stage ablaze, igniting a new wave of creativity and innovation across the continent.

Held recently at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, the event brought together the crème de la crème of the creative industry, including policymakers, investors, and cultural leaders from across Africa and beyond.

With a focus on bridging talent and trade, ACM 2025 showcased the continent’s rich creative potential and innovative spirit. The event featured a jam-packed program, including the Women in Film and TV Conference, the ACM Hackathon, the Global Creative Legal Summit, and the ACM Next Level Grand Finale.

The Women in Film and TV Conference was a highlight of the event, featuring industry leaders from several countries, including Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, and the United States.

Keynote speakers included Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, and veteran actress Joke Silva.

US Consul General Rick Swart emphasized the importance of investing in skills and visibility for women’s stories, saying, “Investing in skills and visibility for women’s stories is crucial.”

The ACM Hackathon challenged 27 teams to develop innovative solutions for Africa’s music and film distribution challenges. FairPlay emerged as the overall winner, claiming a N10 million grand prize.

The Global Creative Legal Summit examined pressing issues on intellectual property rights and AI disruption in the creative economy.

Oyinkansola “Foza” Fawehinmi noted that “The future of Africa’s creative industries depends on our ability to harness technology and creativity.”

Chude Jideonwo announced the Fourth Mainland Creator Fund, a $500,000 investment initiative to support African creators. The fund is set to provide much-needed support to creatives across the continent, enabling them to take their work to the next level.

The ACM Next Level Grand Finale showcased Africa’s emerging music talent, with Arité emerging as the winner. The winner received a N3 million grant for music video production, a sponsored UK performance, and a three-month mentorship.

ACM 2025’s success was made possible by the support of its partners and collaborators, including cultural institutions, private organizations, government bodies, and international agencies.

The event demonstrated the power of collaboration and innovation in driving Africa’s creative industries forward.