African Creative Economy Conference kicks off

2 Oct 2013

The lineup of speakers and panellists for the African Creative Economy Conference (Cape Town, South Africa 6-9 October), has grown into an inspirational and diverse collective that ranges from fashion entrepreneurs to political analysts, and musicians to government ministers.

African Creative Economy Conference kicks off

This annual conference (the first was in Nairobi in 2011 and the second in Dakar in 2012) will interrogate the role of the creative industries to address Africa's development challenges. Its multi-layered offerings include key economic and cultural development indicators from some of the world's foremost research institutions; inspirational stories from the continent's dynamic cultural entrepreneurs; and thought-provoking feedback from culture and development experts, funders and commentators.

One of the most valuable take-home benefits could be a detailed overview of the key economic and cultural development indicators of Africa's 54 countries. Researchers engaged by Arterial Network will present their "Africa in Numbers" research, which will include indicators on economies; development (health, education/literacy, etc.); democracy (governance and human rights); and corruption and transparency.

Speakers and panellists

1.	Dr Israel Kodiaga	Director: Programmes, Research and Strategic Development at the African Centre for International Studies (Kenya)
2.	Ms Ojoma Ochai	Assistant country director of the British Council in Nigeria
3	Anver Versi	Editor of African Business, a leading publication on matters related to the African economy
4.	Dr Daouda Cisse	Research Fellow at the Centre for Chinese Studies, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
5.	Deprose Muchena	Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa and expert in intra-African trade
6.	Didier Awadi	Rap musician and social entrepreneur, Senegal
7.	Siphiwe Ngwenya	Maboneng Township Art Experience, South Africa
8.	Carolina Quintana	UN Conference on Trade and Development, Networking and Partnerships Officer
9.	Christiaan de Beukelaer	University of Warwick, PhD Researcher
10	Prof Edgar Pieterse	Director of the African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town
11.	Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko	Commissioner for Social Affairs at the African Union Commission
12.	Bernard Bakaye	Principal Culture and Sports Officer, East African Community
13.	Mohamed Amine Sbihi	Minister of Culture, Morocco
14.	Stephen Chifunyise	UNESCO technical expert on cultural policy, Zimbabwe
15.	Omoyemi Akerele	Creative and managing director, Lagos Fashion and Design Week
16.	Johnny Muteba	Filmmaker, cultural entrepreneur (ex DRC)
17.	Sylvia Amann	Founder and director, Inforelais, Austria
18.	Dr David Stevens	Director, Fireside Research, World Policy Institute, USA
19.	Dr Marina Guo	Vice-director, John Howkins Research Centre on the Creative Economy, Shanghai
20.	Patrick Schofield	Thundafund, South Africa
21.	William Codjo	Culture and Development Expert, Benin
22.	Kyai MulleiCEO, Mobi Changa Limited, Kenya
23.	Jaouad Essounani	Theatre-maker, playwright, Morocco
24.	Suzanna Owiyo	Musician, Kenya
25.	Anne-Lise Langoy	Senior adviser, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
26.	Idriss Nor	Doen Foundation (Dutch foundation)
27.	Jasper Walgrave	Head of Pro Helvetia, Johannesburg Office
28.	Dr Noha El-Mikawy	Ford Foundation Representative, Arab Region
29.	Dr Katharina von Ruckteschell	Director of Goethe Institute, Sub-Saharan Africa