Creative Africa Nexus Weekend 2024: Uniting Global Africa's Creative and Cultural Industries in Algiers

CANEX WKND 2023 (L-R): Tade Ipadeola (Poet and Writer, Event Anchor), Anwuli Ojogwu (Managing Director, Narrative Landscape Press), Dr Eghosa Imasuen (Co-Founder, Narrative Landscape Press), Professor Benedict Oramah (Afreximbank President), Mrs Kanayo Awani (Executive Vice-President, Intra-African Trade & Export Development at Afreximbank), Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Novelist and Creative Director of the James and Grace Adichie Foundation), Mrs Chinelo Oramah, and Mr Stephen Kauma, (Group Managing Director, Human Resources at Afreximbank)

(Source: Afreximbank)

PRESS RELEASE

Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024: Uniting Global Africa's Creative and Cultural Industries in Algiers

his groundbreaking event is scheduled to take place from October 16-19, 2024, at SAFEX in Algiers, Algeria

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ALGIERS, Algeria, August 7, 2024/ -- African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and the Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, proudly announces the return of the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2024. This groundbreaking event is scheduled to take place from October 16-19, 2024, at SAFEX in Algiers, Algeria.  CANEX WKND 2024 seeks to build on the success of previous events, most recently CANEX at IATF2023 that was held in Cairo. Last year’s edition brought together delegates from across the continent representing a wide range of creative sectors. The event featured over 21 live performances, 115 industry-leading speakers and experts, 13 masterclass sessions, and an awe-inspiring fashion show. Attendees also enjoyed a high-energy music concert, exciting gastronomical showcases and a vibrant marketplace and exhibition center.  CANEX WKND will further develop conversations and provide even more business to business/government opportunities through a 4-day gathering that will be held under the theme: One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World.  Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President Intra Africa Trade and Export Development stated, "CANEX WKND 2024 represents a pivotal moment for creative and cultural industries in Global Africa to showcase their talent and thrive. By bringing together diverse talents from across the continent and diaspora, we're not just showcasing creativity; we're not just showcasing creativity; we’re building a robust ecosystem that will propel African culture onto the global stage."  Highlights of CANEX WKND 2024 include:  CANEX Music Factory: Hundreds of songwriters and beatmakers will converge at the live recording studios within the heart of the CANEX Exhibition. This year's event will include the launch of an album featuring songs recorded during last year's Music Factory.   CANEX Music Concert: Will take the audience on a rhythmic journey across the continent, featuring some of Africa's most dynamic and groundbreaking artists such as the unstoppable Scorpion Kings, Qing Madi and the soulful Sofia Nzau, just to name a few.  CANEX Fashion Show: This year, we are bringing together 10 of the most innovative and bold designers from across Africa and the Diaspora, all set to unveil their exciting collections at the magnificent Algiers Botanical Gardens.   EXHIBITION: A dynamic business-to-business exhibition area designed for creative brands and organizations, offering exceptional opportunities to sell to international buyers.  GASTRONOMY Showcase: This showcase will be turning up the heat with a special appearance by some of the most celebrated chefs from Africa and the Diaspora. Culinary maestros will bring their stories, expertise, and mouthwatering recipes to life weaving the rich tapestry of African culture into every dish they create. From the vibrant streets of Lagos to the soulful kitchens of the Caribbean and the soothing landscapes of Cape Town, each chef will showcase the diverse flavours that define African cuisine across the globe.  ART EXHIBITION: A stunning visual art installation featuring the works of iconic artists along with emerging talents at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Algiers.   CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa: Celebrating literary excellence   from the continent  CANEX Shorts Awards Ceremony: Recognizing outstanding achievements of young filmmakers in short-form content creation.  Attendance and Registration  While attendance is free throughout the 4 days, pre-registration is essential. For more information or to register for CANEX WKND 2024, visit www.CANEX.Africa and be part of shaping the future of Africa's creative industries.  Join us in Algiers as we celebrate the power of African creativity and its impact on the global stage.  Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.   Media Contact:  Vincent Musumba  Manager, Communications and Events (Media Relations)  Email: press@afreximbank.com  Follow us on: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Instagram About Afreximbank: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. For 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa's trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank's total assets and guarantees stood at over US$37.3 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$6.1 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody's (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, "the Group"). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.  For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com SOURCE Afreximbank

The Nigerian Economy and the Creative Economy Are in the Doldrums of Conceit and Deceit

The Nigerian Economy and the Creative Economy Are in the Doldrums of Conceit and Deceit

Let me just make the comprehension easy in my brief commentary.

Anyone who says the Nigerian economy is doing well is a liar. Anyone who tells you the Creative Industry is booming is another liar.

The present administration of the Nigerian government blaming the immediate past administration of  former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for the current economic woes shows political dishonesty and administrative incompetence of those in the corridors of power.

The major projects recently commissioned with fanfare by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR were started by former President Buhari. 

You cannot take credit for the work started successfully by the previous administration and still turn around to blame and complain about the economic setbacks which were caused by recurrent expenditures on federal projects of which you actually benefited from the multi-million dollar contracts by proxies of the same national ruling party of Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC) since 2015 to date.

Honesty remains the best policy in any public and private office. 

Making excuses and living in denial of your own faults and failures is sheer conceit and deceit.

Have you noticed?

The absence and reductions of adverts and promos by majority of the companies in Nigeria are actually indications of the state of the Nigerian Economy. This means that the situation is critical.

 In the creative industry, only MultiChoice of South Africa is profitable in Nigeria. 

The Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) cannot afford to produce enough content; has zero budget for acquisition and distribution and still wasting millions of naira having unprofitable channels on DStv and GOtv of the MultiChoice and the partnership with StarTimes is unprofitable and should be scrapped. 

If the NTA can't buy content produced by Nigerian producers that means the Nigerian film and TV industry is in economic crisis.

Only few Nigerian movies are making money from the cinemas and only few can be acquired by Netflix and other foreign streaming platforms. More than 90 percent are on YouTube channels in competition for revenues from views and only few can make ends meet.

The private TV stations cannot afford to pay for the acquisition of local content.

Both the NTA and private TV stations don't compete for film and TV acquisition and distribution deals in the international film and TV markets, because they don't have marketable content of international quality to sell and they don't have the money to buy top grade content from other countries.

It is dumb to be over the moon watching music videos of few Nigerian Afrobeats artistes on foreign TV channels who are just a fraction of hundreds of others who can't even afford to produce music videos is enough for anyone who is not a dummy to know that the Nigerian creative industry is still underdeveloped and the creative economy is underdeveloped. The creative industry is actually disorganized in Nigeria.

Coming to the international film festivals in Nigeria; none of them is profitable to the creative economy.

Ask them how much money they have contributed to the creative economy, they don't know. Because there are no annual forensic reports on the economic benefits of film festivals in Nigeria.

What are the deliverables from all the editions of the film festivals in the past 10 years?

The organizers cannot tell?

The popular annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) submits annual reports on what the film festival contributed to Canada:

"Our 11 day Festival generates more than $200 million dollars in annual economic activity to the tourism and hospitality sector for the City of Toronto and Province. We drive over $36 million dollars in taxes to the three levels of government annually through our Festival and year-round TIFF Bell Lightbox cinemas."

- Toronto International Film Festival Inc.

I have the report for anyone who wants a copy.

Which international film festival in Nigeria has any annual report for the state government and federal government?

We must stop the political conceit and deceit by political appointees who are equally being misled by political jobbers and title chasers and opportunists in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

The Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy cannot make any impact on the Nigerian economy without deliverables from every sector of the entertainment industry on the economic benefits. 

What are the market valuations of the fashion and textile industry, cosmetics industry, contemporary art and photography industry, film and TV industry, advertising industry and other parts of the creative industry?

Lest we forget, assumptions are not credible. 

You cannot waste millons of naira on local and international events without showing us the economic benefits in your annual report. 

We want to see verified facts and figures and not mere news reports, photos and videos.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

The Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,

Since 2013.

The Creative Economy is Driven by the Digital Economy

Image credit: 
https://city.cri.cn/20210507/633e86e4-7cc0-92c5-a18c-439c6dec1d4b.html

The development of the Creative Economy is hinged on the development of the Digital Economy in the 21st century.

The creative industry in the 21st century is driven by digital technology from the street to the internet. 

Monetization of every format of intellectual property (IP) is mostly generated by digital applications of production, acquisition, distribution, collection and exhibition of which the transactions for the revenues are through fintech applications and services.

We cannot have a robust creative

economy without the support of the digital economy. Both economies have become interlocked as can be seen in Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, X and the new developments by the MultiChoice Group in Africa. 

The largest revenues of the entertainment industry are online.

Where else can we have billions of downloads and views of content?

Recommended:

THE ROLE OF DIGITAL ECONOMY IN ADVANCING CREATIVE INDUSTRIES-CREATIVITY 2030 SEMINAR

https://city.cri.cn/20210507/633e86e4-7cc0-92c5-a18c-439c6dec1d4b.html

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

The Founder/CEO,

International Digital Post Network Limited,

Lagos, Nigeria.

The Nigerian Creative Economy: Beyond Nollywood and the Entertainment Industry

The Nigerian Creative Economy: Beyond Nollywood and the Entertainment Industry

Overview

Nigeria - Media and Entertainment

According to PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook for 2022-2026, Nigeria’s media and entertainment industry is one of the fastest growing creative industries in the world. It has the potential to become one of the country’s exports, with projected annual consumer growth rate of 8.8% (CAGR). PwC indicates that in 2021, Nigeria’s film industry contributed 2.3% ($660 million (239 billion naira)) to GDP. They project that the industry will increase its export revenue earnings to over $1 billion. The motion picture and music combined contributed about $1.8 billion (730 billion naira) to the country’s GDP in 2020.

The country’s television and video market grew 7.49% to $806 million in 2020, up from $732 million in 2018. The industry is projected to earn about $900 million in 2023. The market is driven by subscription revenue, which accounted for 72.26% of total TV/video sector revenue in 2018. TV advertising accounts for 21.31% of total revenue, while physical home videos account for 5.33%. Subscription-based movie streaming are very popular in Nigeria, attracting players like Netflix, Iroko TV, and Startimes. Although Netflix subscription has long been available in Nigeria, they made their official debut in Nigeria in February 2020, joining several major distributors of filmed content in Nigeria. In August 2022, Amazon Prime Video announced the launch of the localized version of its streaming service in Nigeria. According to an IMF report, the industry is projected to generate an estimated revenue of $10.8 billion by 2023 and account for 1.4% of GDP. The report indicates that in 2020, Nigeria overtook South Africa in pay TV subscription as the country currently has over 6.9 million pay TV households as of 2021.  It is projected to grow to upwards of 7.4 million by 2023. A new study by Research and Markets, shows that Nigeria will contribute about 10 million, or 21.2%, of Africa’s pay television subscribers by 2025.

The music sector of Nigeria’s entertainment industry also recorded significant growth over the years. Stakeholders include artists, musicians, producers, promoters, managers, distributors, and marketers. As of 2021, the music industry employed about a million people and generated over $8 billion for the economy. In the past six years, the growing numbers of new production studios and artists enabled a more vibrant and self-sustaining industry, producing globally recognized music. In this environment, Nigerian musicians have developed a vast spectrum of music genres. The industry has won prestigious awards with artists like Wizkid and Burnaboy claiming Grammy awards, attracting more and more investments..

https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/nigeria-media-and-entertainment

Which creative industries drive the creative economy of every country?

The industries are the following:

 Advertising, architecture, arts and crafts, design, fashion, film, video, photography, music, performing arts, publishing, research and development, software, computer games, electronic publishing and TV/radio.

As Dr. Reuben Abati said on The Morming Show of Arise TV on Thursday, November 23, 2023;

We cannot talk about growing the creative industry without a Cultural Policy.

Do we have a Cultural Policy?

Do we even have a Film Policy for Ñollywood and the Nigerian film industry?

Ñollywood is actually a dysfunctional film industry without a film market.

Without an insurance policy.

Without a single film commission.

Let me just go straight to my critical basics of the economics of the creative industry in Nigeria with an important query. And that's all. There is no need for a thesis on the economic crisis of Ñollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

Currently, the Nigerian film industry is a big canoe with holes and different sorts of characters with different agendas; including the real creative professionals, jobbers and of course the opportunists. 

They will make a big 

Kafkaesque and Soyinkasque drama.

Only the creatives with bankable assets and products can grow the creative economy. And not those who are expendable liabilities in the creative industry; that collected loans from the Bank of Industry of Nigeria and other banks and cannot account for the loans due to misappropriations and diversions of the millions of naira they collected. 

What happened to the N3 Billion Grant of the Project ACT Nollywood launched by the administration of former, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR?

Who were the benefitiaries?

Where are the assets and products of the beneficiaries?

Where are the 75 movies produced?

Where are the students trained in filmmaking?

Until there is a forensic report on the Project ACT Nollywood Grant, any establishment for an investment in the creative industry to grow the creative economy by the federal government lacks accountability.

Read the article on 

How The Project ACT Nollywood Grant Was Embezzled - by 

*Eyengho, is President, Association of Nollywood Producers, ANCOP, and Vice President, International Federation of Film Producers Associations, FIAPF.

http://www.metroparrot.net/2015/08/how-n3-billion-project-act-nollywood.html

The federal government should have a forensic report on the previous government investments in the creative industry before the establishment of a new initiative for the acceleration of creative economy.

- Ekenyerengozi MichaeI Chima,

Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series.

Founder/President,

ZENITH International Film Festival,

https://nigeriansreportng.blogspot.com/2023/11/zenith-international-film-festivals.html

Chief Talent Officer, Arno Peperkoorn To Discuss Inclusivity in Media at the Global Black Impact Summit 2023 in Dubai

PRESS RELEASE

Chief Talent Officer Arno Peperkoorn to Discuss Inclusivity in Media at the Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) 2023

Arno Peperkoorn is the Chief Talent Officer at Omnicom Media Group and works to advance diversity and inclusivity across the global media and creative industry

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 19, 2023/ -- The global entertainment and media industry grew 5.4% in 2022, with revenue estimated at $2.32 trillion. By 2028, the market is projected to grow to a record $3.434 trillion, with developing countries taking the lead. As such, the industry will serve as a catalyst for economic growth worldwide, and media professionals such as Arno Peperkoorn, Chief Talent Officer at Omnicom Media Group, are committed to ensuring industry growth is encompassed by diversity and inclusivity. 

Peperkoorn has joined the Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) (https://GlobalBlackImpact.com/) – scheduled for November 30 to December 1 in Dubai – as a keynote speaker. Peperkoorn brings with him a wealth of experience and a fervent dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the media and creative industry, and during the summit, he will share his perspectives on advancing inclusion in media while contributing to the collective dialogue on promoting Black excellence.

As the Co-Founder of Include Now, a foundation at the forefront of advocating for Diversity and Inclusivity, Peperkoorn exemplifies a commitment to fostering environments that celebrate the rich tapestry of human experience. His work with Include Now serves as a powerful testament to his belief in the transformative potential of inclusivity.

In his role as Chief Talent Officer at Omnicom in the Netherlands, Peperkoorn's everyday endeavors are marked by his tireless efforts to build bridges between individuals from diverse backgrounds. He possesses a unique talent for recognizing and amplifying the inherent strengths and abilities in people and firmly believes that while we all bring different perspectives to the table, it is imperative that we be treated with equal respect for our individuality.

Peperkoorn’s dedication to championing diversity and inclusivity aligns seamlessly with the core theme of GBIS 2023, 'Black Excellence: Unleashing the Unexplored Potential for Global Unity.' His insights promise to be invaluable in advancing the conversation surrounding the untapped potential that lies within diverse communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About the Global Black Impact Summit 2023:

The Global Black Impact Summit – which is organized by Energy Capital & Power - is an annual event that seeks to celebrate the achievements of the Black community, promote excellence and explore untapped potential across various fields. This year’s summit is set to be a transformative experience, featuring influential speakers, engaging panel discussions, and networking opportunities that empower attendees to reach new heights. To register go to https://GlobalBlackImpact.com/.

SOURCE

Energy Capital & Power

Lagos Should Be Approved As One of the UNESCO Cities of Film

 

It would be worthy of Lagos, Africa's largest megacity and the home of Nollywood, the first and largest independent film industry on the continent of Africa to be approved as one of the UNESCO Cities Of Film and one of the Creative Cities Network for the dynamic creativities in the arts, audio visual and mass media which have made Lagos the entertainment capital of Africa.

To be approved as a City of Film, cities need to meet a number of criteria set by UNESCO.

Designated UNESCO Cities of Film share similar characteristics:

Important infrastructure related to cinema, e.g. film studios and film landscapes/environments continuous or proven links to the production, distribution, and commercialisation of films experience in hosting film festivals, screenings, and other film-related events collaborative initiatives at a local, regional, and international levels; film heritage in the form of archives, museums, private collections, and/or film institutes, film making schools and training centres; effort in disseminating films produced and/or directed locally or nationally; initiatives to encourage knowledge-sharing on foreign films. 

Nigeria must also become a member of UNICA. Union Internationale du Cinéma. World Organisation for Film & Video • member of IFTC of UNESCO. 

Members:

Andora, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine and United Kingdom.