The event brought together visionaries, policymakers, investors and creative entrepreneurs to highlight Africa's creative economy as a transformative driver of jobs, innovation, and global competitiveness, says the UNDP.

The timbuktoo initiative, UNDP's pan-African innovation platform, aims to mobilise USD$1-billion in catalytic and commercial capital over the next decade to empower 10 000 youth-led startups, scale 1 000 high-impact enterprises, and improve 100-million livelihoods — ultimately contributing to sustainable economic growth across sectors such as FinTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech and now the creative sector, says the organisation.

The creative industry across Africa has emerged as a powerful driver of economic growth, cultural expression, and social cohesion. Contributing approximately USD$4.2-billion to the continent's GDP annually, the sector encompasses film, music, fashion, literature and digital arts.  However, Africa's creative economy remains underfunded, with less than 1% of global creative economy investments directed to the continent, highlighting both its potential and the need for further support, adds the organisation.

The showcase featured vibrant exhibitions, live performances, and presentations from Africa's emerging creative enterprises across design, music, multimedia, cultural heritage and digital innovation. Creative entrepreneurs from across the country and throughout Africa have demonstrated how creativity, when supported with infrastructure, finance and networks, has the potential to grow into investable, job-creating enterprises, says the organisation.

Based in Cape Town's vibrant innovation and creative ecosystem, the timbuktoo Creatives Hub provides young creators with mentorship, market access and investment pathways — positioning African talent to compete and thrive globally. Since its establishment, the Hub has supported two cohorts of entrepreneurs, engaging 46 creative innovators from 20 African countries within just eight months, adds the organisation.

The first cohort focused on business growth and investment readiness, featuring 16 enterprises — 10 of them women-led and 11 youth-led under 35 — selected from over 280 applications across the continent. The second cohort piloted an ideation programme for early-stage creatives, bringing together 30 participants from 9 countries, with strong representation from women and cross-border collaborations, says the organisation.

The showcase also marked a milestone with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announcing UNDP's pursuit of the timbuktoo–City of Atlanta partnership, a transcontinental effort designed to mobilise diaspora investment and open new market pathways for Africa's creative industries. This collaboration will see the Hub pioneer efforts to mobilise diaspora investment through a CreativeTech Fund with the City of Atlanta. Together, these ambitions underscore the hub's readiness to convene, catalyse and co-invest in Africa's creative economy, adds the organisation.

Through collaborations with institutions such as UVU Africa, the Craft and Design Institute, Snake Nation and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the hub is building an inclusive and commercially viable ecosystem. This approach bridges traditional and non-traditional actors, from venture capital firms and policymakers to creative collectives and global technology partners, concludes the organisation.

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*Image courtesy of contributor