The Embassy of France, in collaboration with The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and UVU Africa, proudly announces the selection of 40 outstanding creative and cultural initiatives for the esteemed Création Africa programme. With a staggering R24 million in funding, Création Africa stands as a pioneering initiative, championed by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, aimed at bolstering entrepreneurship within the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) across South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi.
Launched in 2023, Création Africa underscores France’s commitment to fostering youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries within the African continent. The shortlisted projects, carefully chosen from a pool of 702 applications, encapsulate the economic significance and rich diversity of CCI sectors across the three nations.
H.E. David Martinon, Ambassador of France to South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, expresses his satisfaction with the overwhelming response to the Création Africa call for applications. “We are delighted to have selected the most promising and deserving projects from an immensely competitive field,” Ambassador Martinon remarks. Notably, 35% of the selected projects are spearheaded by female entrepreneurs, reflecting the programme’s commitment to gender diversity and inclusivity.
Following a rigorous selection process, which included pitching sessions to a panel of esteemed jurors, the 40 chosen initiatives will embark on an intensive month-long mentoring programme facilitated by Création Africa partner, UVU Africa. This programme will provide invaluable guidance on various aspects of business development, marketing strategies, access to funding, and insights into cultural and creative ecosystems.
Création Africa’s partnership with Bpifrance further solidifies its commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship and fostering global collaboration within the CCI sectors. As a French investment partner, Bpifrance will facilitate worldwide partnership opportunities and networking for the selected entrepreneurs. Additionally, a select group of 12 entrepreneurs will progress to Création Africa’s tailored 5-month incubation programme, followed by an immersion programme through Bpifrance’s Euroquity platform for enhanced market exposure and investment prospects.
Ambassador Martinon emphasizes the overarching goal of Création Africa: to cultivate an ecosystem that empowers emerging creative entrepreneurs to make a sustainable impact on national, regional, and continental economies. Through strategic partnerships, mentorship, and financial support, Création Africa endeavors to unleash the full potential of Africa’s cultural and creative industries, driving economic growth and fostering innovation across the continent.