African Alternatives: The Future of Creative Cities

By 2050, the African population is expected to double with 80% of this growth in cities and mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rapid urbanisation presents challenges, not least for the cultural and creative industries of the capitals in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

What will life look like in 2050 for a young person growing up in Africa now? How can culture address the challenges of rapid urbanisation and lead to sustainable development in people, place and planet?

• What is the ‘best practice’ in cultural policy in Sub-Saharan African cities?
• What can city leaders do to support creativity and innovation?
• How can we build an African network of creative cities?

This online event brought together policymakers, city leaders, researchers and stakeholders from across Sub Saharan Africa, building on our partnership with ‘The Creative Vibrancy Index for Africa’ which ranks the growth and vibrancy of Africa’s creative industries.

Hosted by World Cities Culture Forum, this event was run in partnership with Andani.Africa and the British Council and shares latest insights from our collaborative research into Sub-Saharan African cities’ culture and policy landscape.

With insights from:

• Vuyisile Mshudulu, Director of Arts, Culture and Heritage City of Johannesburg
• Lonwabo Mavuso, Co-Director of Andani.Africa
• Victor Mark-Onyegbu, Grants Lead, Africa No Filter
• Sheila Ojei, Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Stakeholder Management at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF)
• Laia Gasch, Director of World Cities Culture Forum
• Rachel Magoola, Member of Parliament for Bugweri, Uganda
• Moderated by Ojoma Ochai, Director of Creative Economy Hub

With introductions from:

• Justine Simons OBE, Founder and Chair of World Cities Culture Forum and London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries
• Skinder Hundal MBE, Director of Arts, British Council