ACM

About Us

About ACM

The Africa Creative Market (ACM) is an agile creative market event that brings together major stakeholders in the African and international creative industry to explore and exchange innovative ideas for Africa’s creative economy, provide training for African creatives, share tech-enabled future-proof business models, create job opportunities, provide access to trade finance, facilitate creative trade; and promote data-led understanding of creative trade.

The inaugural Africa Creative Market implemented by Ascend Studios Foundation hosted over 10,000 attendees during a 6-Day event in August/September 2022. The market also hosted the Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) Summit, several capacity-building and training programs for creatives in Film, Music, Fashion, Art, Photography, and Dance.

ACM was conceived to facilitate value exchange between Africa’s creative sector and the world with a mission to empower creatives to scale, by providing the blueprint for establishing commercially viable and sustainable business models.

This is facilitated through several initiatives that will give exposure to the global creative market, access to funding, and increase creative export and standards.

ACM is partnered with and supported by Paramount Africa, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, U.S Consulate Lagos, WIFT Chapters (across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia), MTVBase, Swedish Embassy, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Royal African Foundation of His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, OJAJA II, Ooni of Ife, The HOW Foundation, Rio2C, The YD Company, Entertainment IP Ventures Liechtenstein, 789 Consulting, Kaffy Inc, The Luxury Network; and a host of other companies and organizations.

Our Mission

ACM Objectives

  1. To bridge the gap in the global demand and supply of original quality African products.
  2. To successfully enable and facilitate international trade between African Creatives and the rest of the world.
  3. To empower creatives across continents to make a positive impact with their craft, fulfill their economic potential, and create conditions for sustainability.
  4. To bring creative stakeholders from diverse backgrounds together for a broad conversation and perspective on diversity, equality and content creation.
  5. To provide participants with the necessary structure and tools for growing the creative economy across continents.
  6. To engage participants in the development and execution of growth plans for their businesses.

Why ACM

The global creative sector is a $6trillion economy with Africa only contributing 1.4% ($81bn) – indicating an untapped potential. ACM will help Africa do more through the provision of adequate support, investment, and networking opportunities provided to the industry. With the recent global demand for Non- oil export, Africa’s creatives will be better positioned for a win-win global play.

ASF has the capacity, experience, data, relationships, and local/International network to facilitate and create a positive impact on African businesses. Our partnerships with relevant stakeholders can close the communication, compliance, and standardization gap between international buyers and local businesses.