Afreximbank Reconstitutes Creative Africa Advisory Group Ahead of CANEX Weekend

During the meeting, CAAG members were updated on the overall implementation of the CANEX Programme and preparations for the upcoming CANEX Weekend in Algeria.

Ahead of the upcoming CANEX Weekend in Algiers, Algeria, from 16 to 19 October, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the reconstitution of the Creative Africa Advisory Group (CAAG). This group is responsible for overseeing and guiding the implementation of the Bank's Creative Africa Nexus Programme.

The first meeting of the reconstituted Advisory Group took place at the Waldorf Astoria, Heliopolis, in Cairo on 9 July 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development of the African Union Commission, and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Founder of Silverbird Group, Nigeria. The CAAG is tasked with guiding Afreximbank's strategy to support the growth of creative and cultural industries in Africa and its diaspora, with each member serving a two-year term.

During the meeting, CAAG members were updated on the overall implementation of the CANEX Programme and preparations for the upcoming CANEX Weekend in Algeria. They were also briefed on the status of the CANEX Africa Digital Platform and the establishment of CANEX Creations Incorporated, the Bank's intellectual property investment vehicle. Among the recommendations shared by CAAG members was the establishment of a finance subcommittee to ensure optimal disbursement of the Bank's financing facilities and funding, along with continued outreach on financial products to creatives.

Co-chair H.E. Amb. Minata Cessouma-Samate commented, "The Bank has been instrumental in helping the AU's Culture and Sports Programme deliver initiatives aligned with our long-term development objective - The Africa We Want Agenda 2063, and the Revised AU Plan of Action on Cultural and Creative Industries, 2023. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Creative Africa Advisory Group and galvanizing opportunities between the Bank and the Commission leading to conducive policies and regulatory environment for Africa's creative and cultural economies."

Co-chair Senator Ben Murray-Bruce emphasized the crucial role of the Bank in supporting creative ventures through innovation. He stated, "Some of the biggest artists in the world today are Africans and we must be innovative so that channeling money to the continent ceases being an enigma."

Dr. Gainmore Zanamwe, Acting Director of Trade Facilitation & IATF - Intra-African Trade Bank, spoke on behalf of Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Intra-African Trade and Export Development. He expressed the Bank's deep appreciation for the contributions of the members of the first cohort of the CAAG.

"Reconstituting the Creative Africa Advisory Group marks a significant milestone in our journey to elevate Africa's creative and cultural industries to new heights. The contributions of the first CAAG cohort have been invaluable in bringing us to this point. As we move forward, I am confident that the reconstituted CAAG will build on their legacy, driving innovation, fostering investment, intra-African trade and export development, and enhancing cultural expression across the continent. Together, we will continue to support and empower Africa's creative talents, in the context of a Global Africa, ensuring their rightful place on the global stage."

Other members of the reconstituted CAAG include:

Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Google Africa

Vincent Berry II, Singer, Songwriter, and Producer

Didier Drogba, Renowned African footballer and President, Didier Drogba Foundation

Omar Ben Yedder, Group Publisher and Managing Director, IC Publications

Azza Fahmy, Founder, Azza Fahmy Designs

Oscar 'Oskido' Mdlongwa, Recording Artist and Record Producer, Legend Live

Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and CEO, Bank of Industry

Kibonen Nfi, CEO, Cameroon Clothing

Mamou Daffe, President, African Culture Fund

Hana El-Beblawy, Founder, ARD Art Institution

Orlando Romain, OECS Advisor on the Creative Economy

George Gachara, Founding Partner, The Heva Fund

H.E. Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy of Nigeria.