Nairobi County Empowers Young Creatives with Financial Skills Workshop to Boost Cultural Entrepreneurship
Nairobi County, in partnership with key stakeholders from the creative industry, has concluded a comprehensive workshop aimed at enhancing financial opportunities for young creatives and cultural entrepreneurs across the capital. The two-day capacity-building forum brought together over 200 artists, musicians, filmmakers, fashion designers, and digital content creators to equip them with essential business and financial management skills. The initiative represents a strategic effort by the county government to transform the creative sector from informal artistic pursuits into sustainable, profitable enterprises that contribute significantly to Nairobi’s economy.
The workshop focused on practical skills development in areas including financial literacy, business model development, intellectual property rights management, and access to funding opportunities. Participants received training on developing bankable business proposals, understanding tax obligations, managing creative projects as viable businesses, and leveraging digital platforms for monetization. Our young creatives possess incredible talent but often lack the business acumen to transform their art into sustainable livelihoods. This workshop bridges that gap by providing them with the tools to commercialize their creativity while preserving artistic integrity, said Nairobi County Executive for Culture and Arts, Dr. Ann Mwangi, during the closing ceremony.
Participants welcomed the initiative as a timely intervention addressing long-standing challenges in the creative industry. Many young artists reported gaining valuable insights into pricing their work, protecting their intellectual property, and accessing alternative funding sources beyond traditional bank loans. For years, I’ve been creating music without understanding how to properly monetize it or protect my rights. This workshop has opened my eyes to the business side of creativity and given me practical strategies to earn a sustainable income from my art, shared upcoming musician Brian Ochieng from Kayole.
The long-term vision for the program includes establishing a permanent creative entrepreneurs’ hub that will provide ongoing mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to markets for Nairobi’s cultural entrepreneurs. The county government has committed to incorporating creative economy development into its broader economic planning. This workshop is just the beginning of our sustained engagement with the creative sector. We recognize that cultural entrepreneurship represents a significant economic frontier for Nairobi, and we’re committed to creating an enabling environment where creative talents can flourish as viable businesses, Dr. Mwangi affirmed. With proper support and continued capacity building, Nairobi’s vibrant creative community could emerge as a major contributor to job creation and economic growth in the city.