The #AfricaSoftPowerSeries, a virtual summit bringing together some of the most prominent thought leaders and pioneers, focused and passionate about Africa, which started on Wednesday, August 12, returns on Wednesday, August 26 after a three-day hiatus.
Holding under the theme: ‘Creative power: Content, culture & platforms, where is the money?’ the ninth session, which like the ones before, is to convene via Zoom, will revolve around the topic, ‘Show me the money: Commercial opportunities, advertising and tourist destinations’.
The focus will be on festivals, merchandising, public spaces, Nitelife and things – leveraging our cultural heritage for our benefit. Time is 5 pm WAT [12 pm EST].
The summit, whose format has been to introduce the panelists, hold a discussion and then take questions, has focused on topics such as ‘Reopening Africa, an Opportunity to Reboot’, ‘Messaging, Payments & Platforms – Beyond Social Media & Networking’, and ‘The Future of Sports and Live Entertainment’. Also featured is ‘The Business of Film – Building a Sustainable African Industry’, ‘African Television: Now and The Future’, ‘Pop Culture, Gender Roles & Responsibility to Audience’,
The organisers said in a statement announcing the summit that with so many negative stories about Africa, the theme, ‘Creative Power: Content, Culture and Platforms’ sets the stage for crucial dialogues on how Africa can harness its soft power effectively, to advance strategic interests and shape global conversations.
“As the world’s last large, underdeveloped market, the importance of the creative and knowledge industries takes on added significance when we consider that the continent will be home to more than a third of the world’s population and half of the world’s youth by 2100. In addition, current global affairs underscore that the struggles of African-Americans and people of African heritage are equally the continent’s struggle. Africa must ensure that its creative, technological and cultural assets translate into tangible engines of social and economic growth for all its people,” said the statement.