By Patrick Ssentongo -Kampala, Uganda When Uganda unveiled its first-ever National Culture Policy in 2006, it was hailed as a progressive framework that would safeguard the nation’s heritage and position culture as a driver of social cohesion and economic growth. The document was ambitious—seeking to re-center culture in national planning, stimulate creativity, and refocus the …
Across Africa, art residencies are emerging as powerful spaces for creativity, exchange, and transformation. They are more than temporary homes for artists—they are incubators for dialogue, collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding. This article takes readers inside some of the continent’s most dynamic residencies, revealing how these platforms are fostering intercontinental connections, supporting cultural mobility, and shaping …
By Nesrine Benyaiche, Algeria Foreword The Algiers Urban Trail is more than a race—it is a living dialogue between city, memory, and community. In this interview, Algerian writer Nesrine Benyaiche sits down with Youcef Benbessi, president of the League of Ski and Mountain Sports for the Wilaya of Algiers, to unpack the vision and values …
By Tonderai Chiyindiko Foreword Across Africa’s thriving music scenes, talent abounds—but talent alone is not enough. As this article highlights, the lack of professional artist management remains a pressing challenge for South Africa’s creative ecosystem. What should be a strength—a vibrant music economy—is undermined by a skills gap that leaves many artists unsupported, careers short-lived, …
By Patrick Ssentongo – KAMPALA, UGANDA Foreword Uganda’s creative economy is often invisible in policy discussions, yet it is alive, vibrant, and largely youth-driven. From self-taught fashion designers to digital illustrators and freestyle rappers, young Ugandans are finding innovative ways to earn a living and express their culture. This article, written by journalist and storyteller …
Inside Uganda’s Youth-Driven Informal Creative Economy by Patrick Ssentongo Read More »
When Uganda’s 2025/26 national budget was tabled in June, the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) sector barely made a ripple in the financial allocations. Placed within the broader Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, the sector, spread across nine domains, received a modest increase to UGX 66 billion—a figure that still pales in comparison …
Whilst African musical genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano continue to dominate global airwaves and streaming platforms, and, African fashion dominates legacy runways and designers receive international awards, at the same time African visual artists and their work is commanding attention in major galleries and international biennales, the continent is yet to fully realize the economic …
Mr. Kanayo O. Kanayo (Anayo Modestus Onyekwere), Nollywood Sensation and Lawyer, metaphorically unlocking a padlock during his speech to symbolize what is needed. “One cannot manage what they cannot measure,” he said, stressing the urgency of data, asset mapping, and enforceable IP frameworks. From National Conversation to Regional Momentum: Unleashing Africa’s Creative Economy Through the …
Africa’s Next Boom Will Come from Its People — Not Beneath Its Soils Read More »
Connect for Culture Africa Bridging West Africa Through Culture In a landmark gathering of cultural policymakers, industry experts, and institutional stakeholders, the Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA) initiative convened a West African Regional Roundtable in Segou, Mali from May 17–18, 2025. Framed within the broader goal of “connecting the continent through culture,” the event advanced …
Connect for Culture Africa Bridging West Africa Through Culture Read More »
This reflection is rooted in personal memory but speaks to a larger truth: that for generations, African women have invested in culture—not only as tradition, but as protection, inheritance, and empowerment. In revisiting the practice of gifting gold, this piece invites us to see culture as a quiet yet powerful form of agency. At a …
Gold Is for Hard Times-By Benyaiche Nesrine, Algeria. Read More »