In a historic convergence that placed Africa at the heart of global creative discourse, world leaders, artists, innovators, and investors gathered in Lagos for the Forum Création Africa, a flagship cultural and economic initiative uniting Africa and Europe through the creative industries.
The three-day forum, held from October 16 to 18 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, was launched by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and curated by MansA – Maison des Mondes Africains, with support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Business France, Bpifrance, and the Institut Français. It marked a major milestone in the expanding partnership between France and the African continent through the creative and cultural industries.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, in a message to participants, said the Lagos forum signals “a new phase in the relationship between France, Europe and Africa,” built on creativity, innovation, and shared prosperity.
Macron said, “Cultural and creative industries are the bedrock of the new partnerships we are building with our African partners. Projects led by creators, artists, and entrepreneurs enable us to change the representations of Africa in France and France in Africa.”
Macron noted that the event builds on the momentum of the first Forum Création Africa held in Paris in 2023, which attracted over 600 participants from 35 African countries.
“Lagos is a creative and economic hub, showcasing cultural and creative industries and furthering Nigeria’s reputation in these fields,” he said, adding that the 2025 edition drew more than 1,000 participants from over 40 African nations and Europe.
He expressed hope that the forum would become a “symbol of international ambition,” saying: “By using talent, encouraging cultural dialogue, and innovating together, we are offering new prospects for our societies and strengthening the ties between France, Europe, and Africa.”
The Director-General of MansA, Elisabeth Gomis, said the forum underscores how Africa’s creative force is shaping global culture. “Africa is a source of innovation, and the diaspora plays its role as part of the same galaxy. From fashion to film, from gaming to sound design, the creative energy of this continent is rewriting the codes of global culture,” she said.
She described Création Africa as “a rehearsal for the future,” where new ideas and alliances between Africa and its diaspora are born.
Gomis also paid tribute to her team and partners, thanking the Lagos State government, Nigeria’s Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, and the French diplomatic missions across Africa for their collaboration.
The event also featured Heritage in Motion, an exhibition curated by Nigerian designer and curator Zara Odu, which explores how traditional African craft continues to influence modern design.
Odu said the project redefines heritage as a foundation for innovation rather than nostalgia. “Our local craft is technology in itself. The way we weave, dye, or mould materials carries intelligence and innovation that can build the future,” she said.
But beyond art and dialogue, the forum also confronted the structural challenges facing Africa’s creative industries. One of the sessions, titled “Demystifying Distribution Once and for All: From Gatekeeping to Bridge Building,” tackled the persistent problem of content circulation across the continent.
Moderated by the Founder and Executive Director of Bollywood Week, Serge Noukoué, the session drew filmmakers, producers, and distributors from across Africa and Europe. The discussion examined the distribution vacuum left after global streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon scaled back their investments in African content.
Senegalese producer, Yanis Gaye of Yetu (un)Limited said the decline of international licensing deals had exposed the fragility of Africa’s distribution ecosystem.
“We need to reconnect our films with local audiences who want to feel valued,” he said, noting that Senegal, for instance, has only about 20 active cinema screens in Dakar.
“Even though ticket sales are limited, alternative models like mobile cinemas, sponsorships, and cultural centres are creating new ways to circulate our stories.”
Also speaking during the panel, a French producer of Celestine Blue, Ariane Suveg, revealed that telecoms giant MTN is preparing to launch a new streaming service centred on African content.
She said, “It’s an initiative that puts African creators at the core of its strategy. The platform will host original productions and local animation, including the Nigerian-made Me Too Waste by Magic Carpet Studio.”
Suveg added that the project, still in its early stages, could reshape the future of African animation and film. “It’s not about replacing Netflix, but building something different, a system that truly fits African audiences, with affordable access and content made for and by us,” she said.
