This team is responsible for the supervision and direction of the execution of the Creative Africa Nexus Program of the Bank.
The inaugural meeting of the newly formed Advisory Group was held on July 9, 2024, at the Waldorf Astoria, Heliopolis, in Cairo. Co-chaired by H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development of the African Union Commission, and Senator Mr. 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. Each member will serve a two-year term.
During the meeting, the Creative Arts and Culture Advisory Group (CAAG) received an update on the overall implementation of the Creative Arts and Culture Exchange (CANEX) Programme, with a specific focus on the preparations for the upcoming CANEX Weekend in Algeria. Members were also provided with a briefing on the status of the CANEX Africa Digital Platform and the establishment of CANEX Creations Incorporated, which serves as the Bank's intellectual property investment vehicle. Among the recommendations shared by CAAG members was the proposal to establish a finance subcommittee to ensure optimal disbursement of the Bank's financing facilities and funding, as well as continued outreach efforts to creatives regarding our financial products.
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, Trade Facilitation & IATF - Intra-African Trade Bank, spoke on behalf of Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, 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 are: 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; and H.E. Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy of Nigeria.