The Ivorian Prime Minister, Patrick Achi made five recommendations for boosting African cultural and creative industries, in his opening speech, on Friday in Abidjan, at the 2022 Edition of the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND).
Prime Minister Achi was of the opinion that the sector is under-developed in Africa, and made a number of suggestions, which would provide support for a sector that contributes to Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as is the case in America, Asia and Europe.
Patrick Achi explained that based on recent data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the creative and cultural industry has become a powerhouse for many economies, generating over 2250 billion dollars every year. It is the most rapidly growing economic sector worldwide, at a rate of over 7% annually. While 93% of the 2 250 billion dollars is generated in Asia, Europe and America, only 58 billion dollars per annum, i.e 2,5%, is generated in Africa and the Middle East.
With a view to boosting the cultural industry, Mr Achi made the following recommendations: training for young talents and entrepreneurs in the sector; strong government support for cultural entrepreneurs; cultural sharing, exchanges of expertise, as well as collective and inter-active development by continually initiating more cultural events.
The fourth axis consists in Africa opening up to the world, as well as internally, with the launching of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Lastly, boldness and courage in the face of a world plagued by multi-dimensional crises.
For Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, and initiator of CANEX WKND, cultural and creative industries are crucial drivers for economic transformation and should be supported.
This 2022 Edition of CANEX WKND taking place on Ivorian soil, is intended to be of even greater magnitude than the 2021 Edition held in South Africa, against the backdrop of COVID-19, which was attended by about 2 000 creative industry professionals, business leaders and investors, government representatives, media representatives and artists.
During these three days, panel discussions, roundtables and masterclasses will be moderated by cultural and creative industry experts, who came from across Africa and from around the world, to promote African music, film, fashion, arts, literature, and dance.