African creative economy

Riyadh Season is no longer just a festival—it is a global statement. A bold declaration that Saudi Arabia is stepping into a new era of culture, entertainment, and international collaboration under Vision 2030. Launched in 2019 by the…

In the new global economy, influence is no longer defined by oil or infrastructure alone—it is shaped by youth, technology, and culture. At the center of this transformation stands the Saudi Esports Federation, a cornerstone of Saudi Vision…

There are defining moments in a nation’s journey when culture stops being an expression—and becomes an engine. Saudi Arabia is living that moment. At the center of this cultural renaissance stands the Saudi Music Commission, established…

Ekow Richmond Barnes is not interested in moments. He is interested in systems. At a time when African creativity is finally receiving global attention, Barnes operates in a rarer space. He is not chasing virality, aesthetics, or…

In a world where Africa is still too often framed through borrowed lenses, simplified narratives, and external interpretations, TAGHANA stands as a quiet but powerful correction. Founded in Ghana and spearheaded by two brothers —…

In an era where African and diaspora narratives are often filtered through outside lenses, Iyas Begriche has carved out a lane that feels both intimate and globally relevant. Rooted in Algerian identity and shaped by life between cultures,…

At a time when Africa’s image is still too often shaped by outsiders, Ethiopian filmmaker and wildlife photographer Leul Desalegn is part of a growing movement of African creatives reclaiming the narrative through their own lens. Based…

In a digital era where Africa is often introduced to the world through borrowed lenses, alc_joseph, known simply as Joseph, is part of a new generation insisting that African stories be told by those who live them. His recent collaboration…

Shedrach Agu is part of a new generation of African creatives redefining how the world encounters African art. A Nigerian contemporary artist working primarily with charcoal and pastel, Shedrach’s work explores culture, emotion,…

Mulatu Astatke has played his final live concert, closing a performing career that has stretched across six decades and reshaped how the world hears African music. Last month in London, the 82‑year‑old Ethiopian composer and vibraphonist…