This Saturday, 26 November, Day 2 of CANEX WKND 2022, the meeting of cultural industry actors from Africa, a panel discussion bringing together five african personalities from the cultural sector, was held focusing on the theme: “Reaching African and Global Screens”.
The panel discussion, held at Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire, Abidjan, gave the audience at the Palais des Congrès, an opportunity to listen successively to the Nigerian, Ben Murray Bruce, Founder of Silverbird Group, one of the largest African cinema chains; Christiane Chabi Kao, a Producer from Benin; Audu Maikari from Nigeria, CEO and Co-Founder of Pixel Ray Studios; the South African, Mayenzeke Baza, CEO and Head of Distribution and Financing of AAA Entertainment; and Fabrice Sawegnon from Côte d’Ivoire, Managing Director of Life TV.
Often without mincing words, they highlighted certain difficulties that hinder cultural activities on the Continent. This included, among others, lack of training of some actors in the cultural sector, as well as absence of appropriate infrastructure, such as that existing in American, European or Asian countries. According to the panelists, the difficulties in the film, music, or other sectors, are also due mainly to lack of political will on the part of African leaders.
During about forty minutes of discussions, panelists disclosed that no country in the world had developed while neglecting culture. They also deplored the difficulties in travelling from one African country to the other, whereas it is completely different in Europe. Panelists stated that the top international stars were Africans trained in British institutions.
Another issue hindering cultural activities in Africa is difficulties in access to financing. Panelists said that we are dependent on foreign funding. The interventions were received with resounding applause by the visibly enlightened and satisfied audience. It should be recalled that CANEX WKND, which kicked-off on Friday, 25 November, will come to an end on Sunday, 27 November 2022.