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At Moonshot by TechCabal 2025, Africa’s premier convergence of innovators and tech visionaries held on October 15-16, the continent’s inventive spirit was prominently showcased. In collaboration with TechCabal, the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub-a pivotal initiative fostering digital partnerships between the EU, its Member States (Team Europe), and African stakeholders-curated the Creative Economy Track. This segment delved into the dynamic interplay of technology, policy, and creativity as catalysts for inclusion and digital advancement across Africa.
This partnership delivered a comprehensive six-session program addressing topics from artificial intelligence to eco-friendly innovations within creative sectors. A highlight was the live $30,000 Creative Economy Challenge, spotlighting startups pioneering at the crossroads of creativity and technology.
Harnessing AI and Digital Platforms to Revolutionize African Creativity
The track featured four insightful panel discussions where industry leaders examined the evolving landscape of digital creativity on the continent.
AI’s Role in Shaping African Creative Expression: Led by moderator Omonigho Aito-Imonah, this session explored whether AI serves as a disruptor or enhancer of African creative industries. Panelists such as Issa Sissoko (Wonder Studios), Pierrick Chabi (Wakatoon), Boubacar Djiba (Senmixmaster), and Malik Afegbua (Slickcity Media) shared perspectives on AI’s transformative impact across music, film, design, and storytelling. The conversation underscored critical issues including intellectual property rights, cultural preservation, equitable access to AI tools, and the sustainability of creative outputs in the AI era.
Scaling Creative Ventures with Sustainability in Mind: Moderated by Jean Fall of Cinewax, this discussion brought together founders like Odile Limpach (SpielFabrique 360°) and Eyram Tawia (LetiArts) to dissect strategies for growing creative startups that balance profitability with social and environmental responsibility.
Capital Flows into Africa’s Creative Tech Infrastructure: Industry experts Ann Marème Atayi (BPI/EuroQuity), Adama Gaye (Orange Ventures), and Xavier Echasseriau (Proparco) analyzed investment trends fueling advancements in payment systems, connectivity, content delivery, and cloud services essential for creative enterprises.
Digital Platforms as Gatekeepers of African Creativity: Under the guidance of Deborah Oguike (Communiqué), panelists Claude Grunitzky (True Africa) and Jide Martin (Comic Republic) debated the influence of digital platforms on creative visibility, intellectual property management, and equitable revenue distribution within an algorithm-driven ecosystem.
Policy Innovation: Crafting Frameworks to Empower Africa’s Creative Industries
A closed-door roundtable convened regulators, donors, IP specialists, and creative tech leaders to forge actionable policies and funding mechanisms that nurture Africa’s digital creative sectors.
Moderated by Joy Mawela, Head of Digital Content Hub at Tshimologong Precinct, the session featured insights from key figures including Bilia Bah (Director General, ICC, Ministry of Culture, Guinea), Hon. Yussif I. Jajah (Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts, Ghana), Massimo De Luca (Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Nigeria & ECOWAS), Jérémie Petit (Chairman, CCI Committee, National Entrepreneurship Council of Senegal), Sanna Selin (Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria & Benin), and Sandra Kassab (Director, Africa Department, AFD). The dialogue centered on identifying effective policy models that successfully attract investment into digital cultural and creative industries (CCIs).
H.E. Gautier Mignot, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, delivered a keynote address, underscoring the EU’s commitment to fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem in Africa.
Complementing the discussions, the Creative Economy Track incorporated two matchmaking sessions and fireside chats between investors and startups. These interactive formats provided founders with invaluable opportunities for personalized pitching, direct investor feedback, and insights into due diligence processes. This engagement enhanced entrepreneurs’ understanding of investment dynamics within Africa’s creative sectors, while investors gained exposure to emerging creative-tech innovators, fostering connections that could drive future investments and ecosystem growth.
Investor Engagement and Entrepreneurial Development
Beyond theoretical discussions, the Creative Economy Track prioritized hands-on capacity building through targeted matchmaking and intimate fireside conversations. These sessions were tailored to assist the 15 shortlisted startups from the Creative Economy Award in navigating financing pathways, preparing for investor scrutiny, and overcoming industry-specific hurdles.
Facilitated by Jean Fall, founder of Cinewax, these forums created a supportive environment for founders to receive candid advice and strategic guidance from seasoned investors. Participating startups included Mills Media, OMENAI, 5:14 Agency, AFREEKAPLAY by VASCONEX, MANOSA, Simple Studio, Juju Games, Pandascrow, Astra Labs, Synewxve, Hafrikplay, Makifaa, DOBIISON Ghana Ltd, Leti Arts, and WawWAW.
Matchmaking Highlights:
- Day One: Investors such as Papa Mady Sidibé (Saviu Ventures), Kamsy Osakwe (Strategic Advisor, Oui Capital), Driss Ibenmansour (Partner, Breega), and Odile Limpach (Co-founder, Spielfabrique 360°) introduced their funds before startups engaged in rapid-fire five-minute pitches. This format enabled ventures like Simple Studio, Astra Labs, and Leti Arts to refine their presentation skills while receiving constructive critiques.
- Day Two: Focused on French investment partnerships, this session featured Aissatou Diallo (Business Development Director Africa ONO, Média Participation) and Ann Marème Atayi (BPI). Startups including Makifaa, Juju Games, and DOBIISON Ghana Ltd explored tailored funding opportunities with these prominent French cultural and creative industry investors.
Fireside Chats:
- The first chat, with Papa Mady Sidibé and Kamsy Osakwe, unpacked the nuances of fundraising across Africa, contrasting Francophone and Anglophone investor expectations, investment sizes, and entrepreneurial mindsets.
- The second discussion, featuring Adama Gaye (Orange Ventures) and Odile Limpach (Spielfabrique 360°), examined the complexities of cross-border investments. They shared insights on adapting to diverse regulatory environments, tax frameworks, and business cultures, offering practical advice for startups aiming to attract international venture capital.
Celebrating Innovation: The D4D Hub Creative Economy Award
The D4D Hub Creative Economy Award spotlighted West Africa’s most promising startups innovating at the nexus of creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship. From over 200 applicants, 15 startups were selected for the TC Battlefield Pre-Accelerator Program, with five finalists competing for a $30,000 prize pool. The top three winners-AFREEKAPLAY by VASCONEX, Makifaa, and OMENAI-were recognized for their groundbreaking solutions addressing both local and global creative sector challenges.
AFREEKAPLAY by VASCONEX clinched the $15,000 grand prize for its uniquely African music platform, tailored to regional realities with mobile-money billing and diverse monetization options for creators.
Makifaa secured the $10,000 first runner-up prize for its authentic African stock media platform and “Samba AI Studio,” designed to empower African creators and challenge global misrepresentations.
OMENAI, a digital marketplace revolutionizing access to contemporary African art worldwide, earned the $5,000 second runner-up prize for its innovative platform connecting artists and collectors globally.
For further insights, explore our analysis on what it takes to nurture Africa’s burgeoning $20 billion creative industry.
