10/12/2025
El encuentro nace como una plataforma estratégica para impulsar debates, identificar obstáculos y abrir nuevas oportunidades para las industrias creativas del continente.
“Creatives Connect Afrika 2025” brings together policymakers, industry leaders, businesspeople and other stakeholders with the aim of unlocking the full potential of the film, music and fashion industries. The event promotes intra-African collaboration and trade in these sectors, addressing political, regulatory and market-access challenges within the framework of the ZCLCA (African Continental Free Trade Area), in a context in which FIAP collaborates with the European Union and COMESA to strengthen regional integration and advance towards more inclusive trade.
The event also aims to provide filmmakers and entrepreneurs in fashion and music with the skills, knowledge and tools that will enable them to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA, access financing mechanisms and improve their competitiveness in international markets.
Another central focus is the identification of trade barriers in the film, music and fashion industries. These include insufficient financing, digital access, distribution networks, intellectual property rights and content regulation. The forum works to define viable solutions that can unlock emerging commercial opportunities.
“Creatives Connect Afrika 2025” also facilitates business partnerships and co-productions through meeting spaces for filmmakers, investors, distributors, policymakers and artists, strengthening cross-border collaborations and investment links. The programme additionally includes film screenings, live performances, exhibitions and immersive experiences that showcase Africa’s cultural diversity and contemporary narratives, highlighting the connection between creativity and tourism.
With the support of the European Union through the Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF), FIAP collaborates with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to expand the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) to selected services. Since its introduction in 2010, the STR has simplified customs procedures for small-scale traders moving goods across borders. Building on this success, efforts are now underway to include services such as cross-border transport, repairs, ICT and tourism, sectors in which the participation of women entrepreneurs and young people is increasing.
The initiative represents a significant step towards more inclusive trade, ensuring that the benefits of the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) reach grassroots communities.
The collaboration between FIAP, the European Union and COMESA reaffirms their shared commitment to strengthening regional integration, empowering small businesses and ensuring that trade works for all Africans.
