Vivian Emoni

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, First Deputy President, Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has advocated the creation of creative economic zones.
Adesugba also urged improved financing and stronger copyright enforcement to boost Africa’s creative economy.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Olayemi John-Mensah, Media and Strategy Officer, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), on Friday in Abuja.

The statement had as its theme: “The Powered Africa: Creativity, Innovation and Transformation.”

Adesugba, also Founder and Chairman of ACCI’s Business Entrepreneurship, Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre, said the measures would help African creators build sustainable businesses.

According to him, the effort will also help the creators retain more wealth generated from their work.

“Africa’s growing cultural influence must translate into greater ownership, employment and fair earnings for creators.

Africa is not short of creativity. Africa is short of share.

“Improved financing and stronger copyright enforcement will boost Africa’s creative economy, also, dedicated creative hubs, intellectual property-backed will help African creators retain more value from their work,” he said.

Adesugna urged investment in creative infrastructure, financing and copyright protection to promote sustainable businesses for African creators.

He proposed creative economy zones and hubs in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Port Harcourt and other centres.

He said the hubs should have reliable electricity, fibre connectivity, studios, post-production facilities and rendering capacity, supported by a simple and competitive fiscal regime.

“Let the editing, the animation, the mastering, the licensing and the data hosting happen here, so that the value-added stays here,” he said.

He urged banks, development finance institutions and capital market operators to recognise creative catalogues, film libraries, design portfolios and verified royalty streams as financing assets.

He also advocated adequately funded action against digital piracy and greater transparency among collective management organisations.

According to him, these measures will help ensure that royalties from broadcasts, streaming and public performances reach their rightful beneficiaries.

On Artificial Intelligence (AI), Adesugba urged creators to embrace emerging tools while protecting their works and voices.
He said consent, ownership and compensation should guide the use of African creative works in AI systems.

“Talent is natural; professionalism is learned, but here is the need for training in contracts, taxation, branding, financial management and AI.

He said the BEST Centre was open to partnerships with the conference organisers, AfriLabs, UNESCO and the relevant ministry.

Such partnerships, he said, would support business clinics, mentorship and market connections for creative enterprises, while universities should link research and teaching with commercial opportunities.

Adesugba also called for stronger African distribution networks, easier cross-border payments and co-production agreements to expand opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He encouraged creators to register their businesses, protect their intellectual property, maintain proper records and join professional associations and chambers of commerce to improve access to investors and markets.

“Our task now is to make sure that Africa is also paid, fully and fairly, for what the world enjoys,” he said. (NAN)
VOE/KUA
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Edited by Uche Anunne