By Bunmi Yekini
For the third year running, the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos has thrown its support behind the Africa Creative Market, aiming to bolster collaboration between the U.S. and Nigeria in the creative industries. Founded by Dr. Inya Lawal, a beneficiary of the Fortune-U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership, the event brings together stakeholders from Africa and beyond to fuel the growth of the continent’s creative economy.
This year’s edition featured two U.S. creative leaders – Steffan Horowitz, from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, and Dedren Snead, CEO of Atlanta-based SUBSUME Studios. Both participated in the weeklong event, engaging in discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities supported by the U.S. Consulate General Lagos.
During the event, U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer Julie McKay emphasized the importance of connecting Nigerian creatives with international audiences. “Every year, the U.S. Mission sends emerging leaders in Nigeria’s creative industry on U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. We remain committed to supporting programs that promote artistic expression, encourage cultural exchange, and strengthen the capacity of Nigerian artists,” she said.
Horowitz and Snead provided insights to budding filmmakers, producers, and content creators, with Snead leading a workshop on how digital platforms can amplify African stories globally. He highlighted the power of animation and gaming in crafting immersive experiences that spotlight African narratives on the world stage.
Additionally, the Africa Creative Market hosted the AWE 2.0 Initiative, which brought together 150 alumnae of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) for a three-day program aimed at scaling their digital skills. Snead addressed the group, underscoring the U.S. government’s dedication to promoting women-led businesses and equipping female entrepreneurs to succeed in the digital economy.
U.S. Consul General Will Stevens praised the growing relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria in creative sectors, saying, “The United States recognizes the tremendous potential of the creative industries in driving growth, fostering prosperity, and creating economic opportunities. At the U.S. Mission, we continue to engage with Nigeria’s creative industry leaders to discuss building a sustainable ecosystem, unlocking access to new markets, and advancing opportunities for two-way trade and investment.”
This year’s event is part of a broader U.S. effort to support Nigerian creative talents, with the U.S. Department of State recently launching new exchange programs for Nigeria’s creative industry, including the Africa Creative TV initiative for film and TV writers, the American Music Mentorship Program in partnership with the Grammys, and the Community College Initiative focused on the film production process.