Leaders, artists, innovators, and investors convened in Lagos for the Forum Création Africa in a landmark gathering that brought Africa to the forefront of global creative dialogue. This flagship initiative aims to unite Africa and Europe through the creative industries.
The three-day event, held from October 16 to 18 at the Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island, was inaugurated by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and curated by MansA – Maison des Mondes Africains, with support from multiple French organisations, including the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Business France. This forum represents a significant step in the growing partnership between France and Africa in culture and creativity.
In his message to attendees, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised that the Lagos forum marks “a new phase in the relationship between France, Europe, and Africa,” focusing on creativity, innovation, and shared prosperity. He highlighted the vital role of cultural and creative industries in forging new partnerships, stating that “Projects led by creators, artists, and entrepreneurs are transforming perceptions of Africa in France and vice versa.”
Macron noted that the event follows the success of the inaugural Forum Création Africa in Paris in 2023, which drew over 600 participants from 35 African nations. He expressed a vision for future editions of the forum, hoping to see participation grow, referencing the anticipated attendance of over 1,000 from more than 40 African countries and Europe in 2025.
The Director-General of MansA, Elisabeth Gomis, remarked on Africa’s creative power shaping global culture and recognised the diaspora’s contributing role. “Africa is a wellspring of innovation, transforming industries from fashion to film, gaming to sound design,” she noted, describing Création Africa as a “prelude to the future,” where fresh ideas and partnerships flourish.
Gomis extended her gratitude to various collaborators, including the Lagos State government and Nigeria’s Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy.
The forum also showcased an exhibition titled Heritage in Motion, curated by Nigerian designer Zara Odu. The exhibition explored the ongoing influence of traditional African crafts on contemporary design. Odu articulated that her project reimagines heritage as a cornerstone of innovation rather than merely a nostalgic reference. “Our local craft is an embodiment of technology,” she explained, “and the techniques we use reflect intelligence and creativity capable of driving future advancements.”
Beyond artistic expression and dialogue, the event tackled the structural challenges facing Africa’s creative industries. A session titled “Demystifying Distribution Once and for All: From Gatekeeping to Bridge Building” addressed the ongoing issue of content distribution across the continent. Moderated by Serge Noukoué, Founder and Executive Director of Bollywood Week, the discussion involved filmmakers, producers, and distributors from Africa and Europe, following a significant reduction in investment from global streaming services like Netflix and Amazon in African content.
Yanis Gaye of Yetu (un)Limited highlighted the need to reconnect films with local audiences eager for representation. He cited Senegal’s limited infrastructure, with only about 20 active cinema screens in Dakar. “While ticket sales may be restricted, innovative solutions such as mobile cinemas and cultural centres are emerging to share our narratives,” he noted.
Additionally, Ariane Suveg, a French producer with Celestine Blue, announced that telecom giant MTN is working on a new streaming service focused on African content. This initiative aims to centre African creators in its mission, with plans for original productions and local animations, including the Nigerian project Me Too Waste from Magic Carpet Studio. While still in its infancy, Suveg concluded that this endeavour could transform the landscape of African animation and film. “The goal isn’t to replicate Netflix but to develop a platform that caters to African audiences, providing affordable access and content created for and by us.”
