Entertainment Week Africa hosted Creative Connect, an exclusive and intimate gathering during Grammys Weekend designed to convene senior decision-makers and Africa’s leading creative innovators.
The high-level event created a strategic platform for global industry leaders and African creative executives to foster collaboration, strengthen cross-continental partnerships, and accelerate the growth of Africa’s $50 billion+ creative economy.
Convened by Darey Art Alade and Deola Art Alade, founders of Entertainment Week Africa and executives at Livespot360, Creative Connect brought together influential figures across music, film, fashion, media, and the broader creative industries ecosystem.
The gathering centered on sustainable infrastructure, long-term value creation, and Africa’s positioning within the global cultural economy.
Speaking at the event, Deola Art Alade, Group CEO of Livespot360, emphasized the importance of intentional global engagement:
“Creative Connect is about bridging continents, connecting decision-makers with Africa’s visionary leaders, and exploring ways to build sustainable, globally impactful creative ecosystems.”
Echoing this sentiment, Darey Art Alade, Chief Creative Officer at Livespot360, reinforced the broader mission behind the initiative:
“Africa’s creative economy is brimming with talent and innovation. Our goal with gatherings like Creative Connect is to highlight these leaders and ensure that the continent’s creative story is told on its own terms — with value, recognition, and sustainability at the center.”
The event underscored the power of strategic engagement between African creatives and international stakeholders, providing an exclusive environment for meaningful networking, partnership exploration, and knowledge exchange. Conversations throughout the day focused on infrastructure development, intellectual property value, cross-market scalability, and investment opportunities within Africa’s expanding cultural industries.
Images from the gathering capture the dynamic energy of the room — industry leaders in deep discussion, cross-border alliances forming, and a collective commitment to advancing Africa’s creative narrative on a global stage.
Creative Connect further solidifies Entertainment Week Africa’s commitment to positioning the continent at the forefront of global cultural conversations. As Africa’s music, film, fashion, and digital innovation sectors continue to experience exponential growth, platforms like Creative Connect serve as catalysts for sustainable development and long-term industry transformation.
With initiatives like this unfolding during globally significant moments such as Grammys Weekend, Africa’s creative leadership is not only participating in global discourse — it is actively shaping it.
At Music Custodian, we remain committed to spotlighting the architects of Africa’s creative future — the builders, connectors, and visionaries shaping culture beyond borders. Creative Connect is more than a gathering; it is a signal that Africa’s creative economy is organized, intentional, and ready for global scale.
