The New Creative Sector Workspace – Adapt, Innovate and Thrive

9th Feb 2021 | Source: redflag.co.za

The Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), a programme put in place by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to support Africa’s creative and cultural industries, announces a series of virtual forums in the lead-up to the Intra-African Trade Fair 2021 (IATF2021).

On 25 February at 15:00 CAT, digital innovators and experts from across some of Africa’s key creative sectors including fashion, film, music and XR, will share their experiences and successes from the year of COVID-19, and for a post-COVID world that will be forever changed.

This first event will kick-start the conversation in the build-up to the Creative Africa Nexus Programme that will take place at the Intra-African Trade Fair 2021 (IATF2021) from 6 - 12 September in Kigali, Rwanda.

Designed specifically for African creatives looking for ways to monetise their content across the digital landscape, the forum will be a space to share, discuss and create solutions that will encourage creatives to find innovative ways to use existing technology to increase their remuneration and thrive in their careers.

Throughout 2020, lockdowns were declared across the world, as was the new norm of working from home. Almost overnight, the digital world became the only means of connecting to work, family, friends and colleagues. The lack of physical events and gatherings had a particularly adverse impact on the creative sector.

However, creatives across Africa and the world rose to this challenge, and despite the many barriers and challenges presented by COVID-19, creatives from across sectors were able to develop innovative ideas and leverage off technologically driven solutions. From 3D fashion shows and virtual concerts, hybrid film festivals and gallery exhibitions, African creatives are already ahead of the game and have a lot to share with their peers and those in other sectors.

This virtual event will see some of the top innovators who will also be on hand at the CANEX Summit, at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021) where this important discussion will be continued.

Moderator (Southern Africa).

Ms. Yandile Nuku - Founder, GIQ Media, Botswana.

https://bw.linkedin.com/in/yandile-nuku-07093b105_

XR (Eastern Africa) – Confirmed.

Mr. Brian Afande - Managing Director, BlackRhinoVR, Kenya.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-afande-58399739/

Fashion (Southern Africa)

Ms. Badrriya Henry - Founder, Fashion Foresight, United Arab Emirates._

https://www.linkedin.com/in/badrriya-henry-879097170/?originalSubdomain=ae_

Electronic Art (Northern Africa)

Mr. Haytham Nawar – Director, Cairotronica, Egypt.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/haytham-nawar-6b9a2033