Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has called for accelerated implementation of the African Union’s revised plan of action on cultural and creative industries.
Musawa spoke at a ministerial roundtable of the Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) 2026 on Thursday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event brought together creatives, investors, policymakers and industry leaders from Africa, the Caribbean, as well as the diaspora for four days of business, collaboration and cultural celebration.It is organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) hosted by the Federal Government, in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
The event aims to connect people across borders and promote cultural exchange. It will gather key players from the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) to showcase their work, share ideas, build networks and collaborate.
According to Musawa, African countries must move beyond policy commitments to practical investments and partnerships that will enable their creative industries innovate, compete and capture greater economic value.
She noted that digital transformation, artificial intelligence and emerging business models, were reshaping the creative economy, making intellectual property protection and commercialisation increasingly important.
The minister said African countries must also develop shared principles on Artificial Intelligence (AI) intellectual property and the rights of creators, particularly as digital technologies created new questions around ownership and compensation for creative works.
She also called for stronger intra-African and Africa-Caribbean trade in creative goods and services, noting that the AfCFTA and stronger links with the Caribbean could expand markets, encourage co-productions and strengthen creative value chains.
Musawa further stated that Africa’s creative economy must deliver measurable outcomes through job creation, investment and improved opportunities for creators, rather than relying on declarations and policy meetings.
Also speaking, Amma Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development of the AUC, noted that efforts to establish a continental institution to coordinate Africa’s film and audiovisual industry were facing delays.
According to him, this is because no African Union (AU) member state has ratified the statute establishing the African Audiovisual and Cinema Commission.
Amma Twum-Amoah, was represented by Sabelo Lyndon Mbokazi, Officer-in-Charge of Social Development, Culture and Sport.
He said the statute required ratification by 15 member states to enter into force, noting that no country had completed the process, though Kenya and Ghana had signed the instrument.
He urged the AU member states to sign, ratify and deposit the statute without delay, to enable the commission become operational.
NAN further reports that the proposed commission is expected to provide a strong continental institution for coordinating policies and supporting filmmakers, while helping Africa harness the economic potential of its film and audiovisual industry.
According to the AU representative, the industry has enormous potential to create jobs, promote African stories and generate export revenue.
The delay in establishing the commission comes as African countries seek to strengthen their cultural and creative industries as drivers of economic development, employment and international trade. (
NAN)www.nannews.ng
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu
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