Africa Creative Industries Summit

Soft power is the new hard power. It is in Africa that this transformation to soft power can take place and become strategically valuable. Africa is experiencing an exceptional cultural revolution through fashion, film, visual arts, cultural sites, media, design, video games, entertainment, music, literature, and even the launch by the NBA of an African Basketball League whose last investor was President Obama.

On October 15th, 2021, the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council, made possible by the sponsorship of ADS Group, OCP Africa and Prosper Africa, welcomes you to the Africa Creative Industries Summit. In partnership with the Smithsonian Museum of African Art and Trace TV, the Summit provides a unique and timely convening of leaders and stakeholders in dialogue to discuss the many opportunities, pathways and challenges in the creative industries. The relationship the U.S. has with African culture and creative industries is full of potential and promise. In a time of global recovery and transition, the creative and cultural industries can foster collective security and prosperity.

Join us as we engage in critical conversations anchored in a series of high-level dialogues featuring Burkinabé President Rock Christian Kabore, President Nana Addo-Akufo of the Republic of Ghana; President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva of Capo Verde; Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA); Dana Banks, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Africa, US National Security Council; former football player Didier Drogba; Coumba Gawlo Seck, singer and UN Goodwill Ambassador; Ngaire Blankenberg, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art; Akunna Cook, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs; Samba Bathily, president of ADS Group; fashion designer Alphadi; writer Boubacar Boris Diop; Meriem Berrada, artistic director, Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden; and special performances from African singers Nomcebo and Mohombi and American artist Teddy Riley.

The program will include a combination of moderated panels, remarks, digital media and performances that share expert insights, tackle problems, generate new ideas, and help to identify innovative recommendations. This high-profile event explores the most important elements of African culture and creative industries, along with the associated challenges.