Nairobi’s Creative Industry Attracts International Collaboration

The city’s creative sector is drawing increasing global attention, with Nairobi-based artists, cultural institutions, and creative entrepreneurs forming new partnerships with international bodies. A key development was the U.S.-Kenya Creative Economy Forum, held in the city on 5 June under the joint auspices of the U.S. Embassy and AmCham Kenya. The event brought together U.S. investors, entertainment industry leaders, and Kenyan creatives to deepen trade, co-production, and creative-market ties.
Earlier in the year, Nairobi also welcomed a major multi-stakeholder initiative through the UNESCO-Aschberg Project, which began in January 2024 with the aim of supporting Nairobi’s creative economy growth. Local governments, cultural hubs such as the GoDown Arts Centre, and national agencies are working side by side with UNESCO to build capacity, gather data on Nairobi’s creative industries, and strengthen its international profile.
In addition, the UK–Kenya Season 2025, championed by the British Council, is providing a platform for cross-cultural exchange with co-curated creative projects spanning fashion, literature, performance and public art. As part of this effort, 19 Kenyan-UK artist collaborations were awarded Catalyst Grants, fuelling new partnerships between Nairobi creatives and their British counterparts. These international collaborations are already having a tangible impact: Kenyan creative practitioners are gaining access to global funding, mentorship, and markets—and Nairobi is cementing its reputation as a thriving hub for cross-border innovation in the arts. As Nairobi deepens these connections, its creative economy is increasingly poised to contribute not just culturally, but economically, on a regional and global scale.