Call for registrations: Virtual discussion on post-COVID recovery plan for creatives

12 Feb 2021 - 14:16

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

The Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) is calling on interested participants to register for its free virtual discussion titled The Virtual Space: The New Creative Sector Workspace – Adapt, Innovate and Thrive on 25 February.

Yandile Nuku will moderate the panel discussion.

CANEX is a programme that supports Africa’s creative and cultural industries. The event, organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), will host digital innovators and experts from across Africa’s key creative sectors, including fashion, film, music and XR. It will target African creatives looking for ways to monetise their content across the digital landscape.

The panel will be moderated by the founder of GIQ Media Yandile Nuku (Botswana). The panellists will discuss and create solutions that will encourage creatives to find even more innovative ways to use existing technology, to earn and thrive in their careers.

They include Fashion Foresight founder Badrriya Henry (UAE), BlackRhinoVR managing director Brian Afande (Kenya), Cairotronica director Haytham Nawar (Egypt), Transsnet Music managing director for East Africa Martha Huro (Kenya) and Howler CEO Shai Evian (South Africa).

This event will kick-start the conversation in the build-up to the Creative Africa Nexus Programme, which will take place at this year’s Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) between 6 and 12 September in Kigali, Rwanda. The theme will focus on the newly-launched African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) – a single market for goods and services across 55 countries to boost trade and investment.

“Throughout 2020, lockdowns were declared across the world, as was the new norm of working from home. Almost overnight, the digital world became the only means of connecting to work, family, friends and colleagues,” IAFT said.

“The lack of physical events and gatherings had a particularly adverse impact on the creative sector. However, creatives across Africa and the world rose to this challenge. Despite the many barriers and challenges presented by COVID-19, creatives from across sectors were able to develop innovative ideas and leverage off technologically driven solutions.”

The forum will start at 3pm (CAT), and interested attendees can register here.