Unleashing Africa’s Creative Power

Yesterday, Selam, in collaboration with the Nordic Africa Institute, organized the event “Unleashing Africa’s Creative Power” at the Swedish Museum of Performing Arts in Stockholm. The event featured insightful discussions on how digitalization and the creative industries can boost economic growth and strengthen democracy.

Diana Janse, Sweden’s State Secretary for International Development Cooperation, Regeringskansliet, Utrikesdepartementet, opened the event followed by a keynote speech by Angela Martins, Acting Director for Social Development, Culture, and Sport at the African Union and Selam’s partner in the Connect For Culture Africa initiative.

During the panel discussions, moderated by the Director at the Nordic Africa Institute, Therese Sjömander Magnusson and Anthonia Adenaya Huard, we had the privilege of hearing from Fumba Chama, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Art, Zambia; Anna Rudels from the Svenska institutet; Inya Lawal from African Creative Market; and Patience Mususa, Senior Researcher at the Nordic Africa Institute.

The event also showcased a fantastic musical performance by artist Clarisse Muvemba and band.

It feels more important than ever to present events like this, which at the highest level highlight the crucial role of Africa’s cultural sector in promoting democracy, freedom of expression, and job creation. We look forward to future collaborations with our friends at the Nordic Africa Institute!