Africa’s participation in the G20 Ministers of Culture meeting, led by Barrister Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, is a major step forward in the continent’s cultural diplomacy.
The event, which held at the Salvador Convention Centre in Brazil, saw Musawa represent the African Union, where she advocated for the role of Africa’s cultural heritage in advancing economic growth, social cohesion, and global understanding.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze in a statement indicated that, Musawa also served as the 1st Vice-Chairperson of the Bureau of the Specialized Technical Committee on Youth, Culture, and Sports within the African Union.

She quoted Musawa to have expressed gratitude for Africa’s inclusion in the discussions and highlighted the continent’s cultural diversity as a source of strength.
The minister reiterated the urgent need for Africa to capitalize on its cultural resources to drive sustainable development and unity within the continent and globally.

“Africa’s cultural diversity is one of our greatest assets. We must use it as a tool to propel development, foster unity, and create shared growth opportunities,” said Musawa.
“Our inclusion in the G20 dialogues ensures that the priorities of our people are heard, and the global conversation better reflects the needs of Africa.”

The Minister praised the historic nature of the African Union’s involvement in the meeting, which provided a platform for critical conversations around culture’s role in shaping Africa’s future.
Musawa underscored the importance of the G20’s Ministerial Declaration, which calls for increased cooperation, greater support for African culture, and more opportunities for Africa to achieve its goals outlined in Agenda 2063.

Musawa also highlighted the importance of cultural rights, diversity, and dialogue as essential for building resilient, inclusive, and innovative societies.
She emphasized that culture should be viewed as a driver of development and social cohesion, a theme that resonated throughout the discussions.

She extended her thanks to Brazil for its exceptional leadership as G20 President and expressed confidence in South Africa’s upcoming presidency. “We appreciate Brazil’s leadership and efforts to elevate culture within the global agenda. As we look to South Africa’s presidency, we are eager to ensure that Africa’s cultural priorities remain at the forefront,” Musawa said.

Throughout the meeting, Musawa engaged with counterparts from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Angola, South Africa, Korea, China, and France, focusing on key issues within her ministry’s strategic framework.
One notable outcome the statement said was her bilateral meeting with Brazil’s Minister of Culture, where discussions centered around the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s Cultural House in Salvador as part of the Nigeria Destination 2030 initiative, aimed at preserving cultural heritage and enhancing the country’s cultural diplomacy.

The meeting also highlighted the need for increased investment in Africa’s cultural and creative industries.
The African Union emphasized its strategic vision for inclusive and sustainable development and highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening Africa’s global position.

In closing, Musawa reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to continued collaboration with the G20 and a stronger emphasis on cultural priorities, ensuring that Africa’s voice is heard and its interests are advanced on the global stage.

The Federal Executive Council, has approved the establishment of the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF) and the rollout of the Intellectual Property (IP) Monetisation Pilot.
The initiatives are designed to provide financial support and leverage intellectual property as a key asset for Nigeria’s growing creative industry.

The CEDF, which will offer a range of financial instruments such as debt, quasi-equity, and equity, aims to boost access to finance for creatives.
It also introduces a groundbreaking model for using intellectual property as collateral to secure financing. According to the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, the fund will empower young Nigerian creatives by enabling them to monetize their talents and IP assets.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze in a statement quoted her to have explained saying,

“This is a significant milestone for Nigeria’s creative industry. The Creative Economy Development Fund will equip young people with the tools to turn their creative talents into sustainable livelihoods,” Musawa said, during the Council meeting.

“The IP Monetisation Pilot, developed in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the iDICE programme, will serve as a precursor to the creation of a National IP Monetisation Framework, which will be integrated into Nigeria’s broader IP policy.”

The Minister highlighted the government’s collaboration with several key ministries, including Justice, Finance, and Industry, to ensure the smooth implementation of both initiatives.
She added that the ministry is also proposing the Creative Economy Development Fund Act to ensure long-term funding and governance of the CEDF.

The initiatives the statement explained further are expected to revolutionize Nigeria’s creative sector by establishing a robust intellectual property asset base, enhancing access to finance through IP securitization, and boosting investor confidence in the sector.

At the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend Summit on Thursday, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, called for urgent action to empower Africa’s fashion and textile ecosystem.

In her keynote address, Musawa celebrated Africa’s rich textile heritage, highlighting iconic fabrics such as Adire, Kente, Bogolan, and Ankara.
A statement by her special Adviser on media and Publicity, Nneka Ikem Anibeze however, quoted her to have pointed out the irony that nearly 90% of Ankara consumed in Africa is imported, resulting in a $3 billion annual loss to foreign manufacturers.

“We must reclaim our fashion narrative,” Musawa urged, emphasizing the need to strengthen local production capacities.
She noted that the fashion industry’s immense economic potential, projected to grow to $15.5 billion by 2025, and stressed the importance of creating jobs, particularly for women and youth.

Musawa also announced initiatives like the Design Nexus and Destination 2030, aimed at establishing manufacturing hubs and luxury craftsmanship training programs across the continent.
She underscored the necessity of updating intellectual property laws to protect traditional techniques and ensure that originating communities benefit from their cultural heritage.

The session featured a diverse panel of experts, enriching the discussion on Africa’s fashion and textile future, further underscoring the need for a united effort to enhance the industry.