Rwanda will host more than 2,000 creatives, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers from across Africa and beyond when the Africa Creative Economy and Investment Forum (ACEIF) returns to Kigali from 23 to 30 August.
Organised by Africa in Colors, the annual gathering has become one of the continent’s leading platforms dedicated to strengthening Africa’s cultural and creative industries through collaboration, investment, innovation and policy dialogue.
Founded by Rwandan creative entrepreneur Raoul Rugamba, Africa in Colors was established to help reshape Africa’s creative ecosystem by supporting artists, startups and cultural entrepreneurs. Headquartered in Kigali, the organisation has built a network spanning 40 countries across Africa, Europe, the United States and Canada.
Since its launch, Africa in Colors has evolved from focusing on education, collaboration and access to finance to prioritising creative infrastructure, technology solutions and sustainable financing models aimed at strengthening the long-term growth of the sector.
The organisation conceived ACEIF during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 after identifying the need for a Pan African platform capable of bringing together governments, investors, creatives and development partners to collectively rethink the future of Africa’s creative economy.
The forum was established to encourage collaboration, improve access to markets and information, promote mobility for creatives and advocate for greater recognition of culture and the arts as drivers of economic development.
This year’s edition will place cities at the centre of the conversation, with organisers launching a five year focus on building creative cities that place arts, culture and innovation at the heart of urban development.
The initiative seeks to encourage both public and private sector institutions to invest in cities that create opportunities for artists, entrepreneurs and innovators while strengthening local economies and improving quality of life.
The week-long programme will include four days of masterclasses, creative laboratories, talent development, content production and capacity building, alongside high level policy discussions, side events and business meetings involving industry leaders and government representatives.
Delegates will also participate in three days of conferences, networking sessions, entertainment and investment deal rooms, while exhibitions, guided tours and business-to-business engagements will run throughout the event.
Beyond the physical gathering, organisers expect thousands of participants to engage virtually through digital platforms, expanding the forum’s reach to creatives, students, investors, innovators, media organisations and cultural institutions across the world.
Africa in Colors says the forum continues to serve as a platform for promoting African fashion, music, film, digital content and creative entrepreneurship while producing documentaries and original content for international audiences.
Organisers believe stronger collaboration between governments, financial institutions and the private sector will be essential to unlocking the economic potential of Africa’s creative industries, which are increasingly recognised as engines of employment, innovation and inclusive growth.
Africa in Colors has partnered with a range of institutions to deliver this year’s event, building on six years of collaboration aimed at promoting African talent, strengthening the continent’s creative ecosystem and demonstrating the economic value of culture and creativity.
