AFRICACREATIVEECONOMYLENS
Building Delivery Infrastructure
for Africa's Creative Economies
Strengthening Creative Economy Ecosystems
From sector realities to action
200+
Leaders
4
Infrastructure Areas
The Africa Creative Economy Lens (ACEL) is the annual action platform of the Africa Creatives Alliance (ACA), bringing together policymakers, creative intermediaries, investors and industry actors to strengthen creative economy ecosystems.
Each edition is grounded in the host country’s national ecosystem and shaped with local stakeholders, connecting local realities and priorities with knowledge, experience and insights from across Africa. Through hands-on exchange, collaborative problem-solving and co-creation, ACEL translates this collective knowledge into practical pathways for the host ecosystem, while generating learning that contributes to the advancement of creative economies across Africa.
Learn MoreBuilding Delivery Infrastructure
ACEL 2026 explores four interconnected forms of infrastructure: governance and delivery systems; intermediaries and ecosystem functions; funding, finance and investment; and digital infrastructure.
Governance & Delivery Systems
Turning creative economy priorities into practical governance, coordination and delivery.
The two-part Value Creation & Governance Lab maps how value is created in Botswana, then clarifies the roles and relationships needed to strengthen implementation. Its conclusions feed into the ACEL 2026 Action Paper.
Intermediaries & Ecosystem Infrastructure
Connecting creative talent, enterprises, investors, government and communities.
Hubs, studios, makerspaces, incubators, production facilities and cultural districts build capabilities and connect enterprises to markets. The programme examines their ecosystem functions, business models and long-term sustainability.
Funding, Finance & Investment
Designing financing mechanisms around the realities of creative enterprises and infrastructure.
The programme explores fit-for-purpose instruments, the emerging NACB Fund and HEVA Fund's experience, asking what makes creative infrastructure investable and how financing can enable growth.
Digital Economy Infrastructure
Unlocking digital systems that power creation, monetization, and rights management.
Beyond platform access, this track examines ecosystem connectivity, business support, IP management, access to finance, data and market intelligence so creatives can capture and retain more value locally while reaching regional and global markets.
Strategic Partners
Supported by leading institutions driving Africa's creative growth.
