ABOUT ACEL
Shaping the future of Africa's creative and cultural economy.
Where Ideas, Investment & Collaboration Shape Africa's Creative Future
The Africa Creative Economy Lens (ACEL) is the flagship convening of the Africa Creatives Alliance (ACA) and Africa's premier platform for shaping the continent's creative and cultural future. Conceived as a strategic marketplace of ideas, investment, and collaboration, ACEL brings together policymakers, creative intermediaries, investors, and industry leaders to unlock the full potential of Africa's creative economy.
More than a convening, ACEL is a co-creation platform—a dynamic space where actionable insights, knowledge products, and solution frameworks are collaboratively developed to address the sector's most pressing challenges. These outcomes move beyond dialogue, informing policy decisions, program design, and investment priorities across the creative value chain.
ACEL is designed to shift the creative sector from fragmented activity to integrated, investable ecosystems that generate jobs, drive exports, and foster sustainable growth. Through its forums, showcases, and collaborative labs, ACEL enables evidence-based policymaking, strengthens cross-border partnerships, and amplifies African creative excellence on the global stage.
Our Journey
Gaborone
Building Sustainable Infrastructure
Building on this momentum, ACEL 2026 will take place in Gaborone, Botswana, on 27-28 August 2026. Gaborone represents a strategic hub for regional collaboration, fostering dialogue on policy frameworks, physical assets, and digital systems.
AUGUST
Upcoming Summit
Kigali
From Declaration to Action
Over 200 leaders, including government representatives, DFIs, investors, and creatives from more than 20 countries convened in Kigali, Rwanda with endorsement and participation from the Rwanda Ministry of Youth and Arts.
200+
Leaders
20+
Countries
Outcomes:
- Creative Economy Action Paper
- Investment Safe Label Pilot
Partners: AfDB, IFC, Sony Fund, UN, and ARIPO.
Addis Ababa
Launch with the African Union
The Africa Creatives Alliance (ACA) was launched in partnership with the African Union during the inaugural Africa Urban Forum in Addis Ababa, marking a continental commitment to treating creativity as an economic priority.
Following the launch, ACA unveils the report titled, "Moonshot 8: An Orchestrated & Prosperous Creative Economy — Catalysing Sustainable Growth in Africa."
Milestones:
- Alliance Launched
- Moonshot Report
