Nigerian media personality, Mo Abudu, on Tuesday introduced her “Africa Creates” initiative at the 2023 World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Marrakech, Morocco.
Abudu, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EbonyLife Media, said that the initiative was aimed at projecting Africa’s creative talent across the continent and beyond.
According to her, we can create the future that we want.
“Statistics tell us that by 2050, one of every four people in the world will be an African.
“The median age of an African is 19, that means we have the youngest population on earth and we are going to be needed very much by the rest of the world,” she said.
According to her, about 700 billion dollars will be generated from the digital economy by the year 2050.
She said that the film and audio-visual industry would also generate 20 million jobs by 2050.
“Twenty billion dollars will be generated per annum by 2050.
“This is a gradual process, but these numbers will be happening in the next few years.
“This is not a charity case, it is business and we need to make sure as Africans, that we are ready for the potential that has been projected for us.
“There are certain things we need to do to achieve those projections, and we must be ready to do them, ” she said.
She urged African leaders to invest in the future of creatives on the continent so that access to funding would be as easy as possible.
She also called for capacity building to ensure that the people developed the right skills.
“We need to build global stars across all fields. We should have shining stars as actors, directors, producers, writers.
“That is what creates revenue and drives monetisation. We must create and stop being perpetual consumers, ” she said.
According to Ceda Ogada, the Secretary of IMF, holding the meetings on the African soil 50 years after it was held in Nairobi, Kenya, is a source of pride and excitement for all Africans.
“We are here to showcase Africa’s culture, its diversity and creativity. We should use this forum to hear the stories of Africa.
“Art, film, fashion, we celebrate our rich culture and heritage. This industry creates jobs and drives economic growth.
“It is timely to discuss the role of the creative industry at our annual meetings in Marrakech, ” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the creatives whose experiences were showcased at the event was Audu Maikori, the Founder of Chocolate City Group.
Others were Hannah O’Leary, Head of African art at Sotheby’s, an internationally recognised firm of fine art auctioneers in the world and Filmmaker Mandla Walter Dube.
There were also Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, a fashion designer, Marlène Ngoyi Mvidia, the Chief Executive Officer of the Fund for Export Development in Africa – FEDA and Brahim El Mazned, the Artistic Director of the Timitar Festival of World Music. (NAN)