Offering a dynamic platform for exploring the intersection of creativity, culture, technology, and entrepreneurship across Africa’s diverse creative industries, the 2024 edition of the Africa Creative Market (ACM), which was held recently in Lagos brought together some of the continent’s brightest creative talents and industry leaders.
The four-day event, which was in partnership with Ascend Studios Foundation, U.S. Consulate General, American Business Council, Venture Garden Group, and Paramount Africa, sparked conversations and collaboration across art, film, music, fashion, gaming, and technology, providing attendees with unique insights and opportunities to engage with industry visionaries.
Convener of ACM, Dr. Inya Lawal, said: “ACM 2024 has reaffirmed our mission to empower African creatives and foster sustainable growth in the continent’s creative economy. The year’s ACM is a testament of Africa’s immense creative potential and the importance of nurturing talent, promoting cultural exchange, and driving innovation.”
Co-Founder of ACM, Dr Bada Akintunde Johnson, “ACM 2024 yet again underscored the importance of converging the critical stakeholders across the creative sector and enabling conversations around unique and shared pain points as well as aligning on solutions and pathways forward, implementation of action points and ensuring accountability becomes easier in the aftermath of such robust engagements.”
Highlights of the event included the Nigeria/South Africa Co-Production Cocktail, which brought together industry leaders from both countries to discuss collaborative opportunities in film and entertainment.
Hosted by Wildpepper Studios and Black Roots, the event attracted guests such as Consul-General of South Africa in Lagos, Dr Bobby Moroe; Director General, National Council for Arts, Obi Asika, and others.
The launch of Global Creative Legal Summit (GCLS) brought together legal experts and creatives to explore the role of law in shaping creative economy.
Brought together by Oyinkansola Fawehinmi, popularly known as Foza, this conference was a convergence of legal experts and creatives exploring innovative solutions through the law.
The Creative Investment Forum, organised by the American Business Council, provided insights into investment opportunities in Africa’s creative industries, addressing the legal and regulatory challenges faced by stakeholders.
This forum featured notable speakers, who shared their expertise. They include Nollywood actress, Ms Joke Silva; Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Beatrice Eyong and Bimbo Oloyede. Fashion Day, which featured a conference, runway show, and awards ceremony curated by FashionEVO, celebrated African designers and fashion innovators.
There were other sessions like, Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE 2.0) summit, the Business of Entertainment Conference, Dance and Music Day and others.