U.S. and Kenya Launch Inaugural Creative Economy Forum to Boost Cultural Exports
In a landmark event set to elevate Kenya’s cultural industries onto the global stage, the inaugural U.S.-Kenya Creative Economy Forum is scheduled to take place in Nairobi in early 2025. The high-level forum, organized through a partnership between the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi and Kenya’s State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, aims to forge strategic partnerships, attract investment, and create sustainable pathways for Kenyan artists, filmmakers, musicians, and tech innovators. The event represents a significant milestone in implementing the commitments of the U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership, with a specific focus on the rapidly growing creative sector.
The forum will bring together key stakeholders from both nations, including Hollywood studio executives, leaders from major streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+, top U.S. music producers, and prominent figures from Kenya’s vibrant creative scene. The agenda features masterclasses on intellectual property rights protection, pitching sessions for Kenyan content creators, and panel discussions on co-production opportunities in film and music. This is more than just a conference; it’s a bridge. We are creating a structured platform for our talented creators to access global markets, funding, and distribution networks that were previously out of reach, said Principal Secretary for the Creative Economy, Josephta Mukobe.
Kenyan creatives have hailed the forum as a potential game-changer for the industry. Award-winning film director Wanuri Kahiu noted, For years, we’ve been telling world-class stories but facing global-scale challenges in financing and distribution. This forum signals a shift from informal connections to formal, government-backed partnerships that can unlock real economic value. The forum will also spotlight the nexus of technology and creativity, featuring Kenyan tech startups in animation, gaming, and digital content distribution.
The long-term vision for the initiative is to position Kenya as the creative hub of Africa. The U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, emphasized that the creative industries are a powerful engine for job creation and economic growth, especially for the youth. We are investing in this partnership because we believe in the power of Kenyan creativity. This forum is the first step in building an ecosystem where creative talent can thrive as a major export industry, she stated. The success of the 2025 forum is expected to lead to an annual event and the establishment of a permanent U.S.-Kenya Creative Working Group to ensure sustained collaboration and growth in the sector.