About Us

The Africa Creatives Alliance (ACA) has its roots in Uganda, drawing inspiration from the lessons and best practices of MoTIV, East Africa’s largest creative hub and recognizing the transformative impact of such entities in advancing the African creative economy, the alliance seeks to strengthen the business models of these intermediaries, foster best practices, and create enabling ecosystems that prioritize supportive regulations and investment. By doing so, ACA aspires to be the unified voice and champion for these hubs, incubators, and makerspaces across Africa, driving systemic change and advancing the continent’s creative economy.

ACA is built on a Pan-African network of partners and members, dedicated to empowering and advancing the creative economy across Africa by connecting, equipping and supporting Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). The activities undertaken, with partners and members, enhance capabilities for achieving mutual goals. ACA’s work is structured through four strategic pillars, each reinforcing the goal of establishing a dynamic, well-financed CCI ecosystem that enhances access to capital, scales creative businesses and fosters long-term sustainability and economic growth.

Our Pillars

At the Africa Creatives Alliance (ACA), our mission is to empower Africa’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) by focusing on four key pillars that drive sustainable growth and transformation:

Pillar 1

Ecosystem Building and Convening strengthens Africa’s creative ecosystem by uniting hubs, incubators, accelerators and makerspaces across Africa, creating partnerships with governments, NGOs, academia, development agencies and private sector entities to drive collaborative system-level change. 

Pillar 2

Evidence-Based Advocacy & Policy Influence contributes to CCI-supportive policies, by developing a research roadmap, mapping creative industries, establishing a centralized data hub and advocating for global standards and intellectual property rights. 

Pillar 3

Education and Capacity Building enhances skills and capabilities in the ecosystem by training hubs, freelancers, financial entities and governments, supporting business-arts connections and producing knowledge resources for regional and Pan-African ecosystems. 

Pillar 4

Infrastructure and Investment Facilitation builds infrastructure and mobilizes investments through targeted strategies to attract funding, innovative financing tools, digital platforms for investor connections and investments in physical and distribution infrastructure. 
Through these pillars, ACA is forging a resilient, interconnected creative economy that contributes to elevating African creativity on a global stage. 

Team

Rita Ngenzi

Founding and Managing Director

Amanda Gowa

Community and Program Development Lead

Ivan Sewajje

Brand & Engagement Lead

Board of Directors

Christine Musisi

Johanna Kouzmine-Karavaïeff

CK Japheth

Diana Mpyisi

Maryam Bukar Hassan

Gbite Oduneye

Anna Ekeledo

Copyright © 2025 Africa Creative Alliance. All rights reserved.

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Rita Ngenzi

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Rita Ngenzi is an accomplished leader with extensive expertise in project design and management, entrepreneurship development, and the transformation of startup ecosystems across Africa. As the founding director of the Africa Creatives Alliance (ACA), she is passionate about fostering a thriving, inclusive environment for Africa’s cultural and creative industries (CCIs), with a strong focus on empowering the continent’s youth. Rita’s work is driven by a commitment to innovation, cross-sector partnerships, and sustainable economic growth, positioning Africa as a global player in the creative economy.

With a proven track record of advancing entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems, Rita has spearheaded initiatives that empower innovation hubs, incubators, and creative entrepreneurs to unlock their full potential. Her leadership has been pivotal in driving capacity building, research, and policy advocacy, laying the foundation for long-term growth and innovation within the creative sector. She places a strong emphasis on collaboration, ensuring that public and private sectors, along with development agencies, work in tandem to provide the critical tools, resources, and infrastructure necessary for the success of creative enterprises.

Rita has been instrumental in supporting multinational organizations and development partners in the design and execution of high-impact programs that drive entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic inclusion. Through the ACA, she is building a Pan-African creative ecosystem that unites governments, investors, development partners, and the private sector to create unprecedented opportunities for Africa’s youth. Her vision is centered on harnessing Africa’s creative potential to catalyze socio-economic progress, positioning the creative economy as a cornerstone of the continent’s future growth.

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Amanda Gowa is a multifaceted expert in architectural and civil engineering, leveraging her master’s degree and diverse experience to drive industry advancement through evidence-based best practices.

With a rich background in building enclosure consulting, project management, and structural design engineering, Amanda is passionate about mentoring aspiring designers and fostering growth in the local design community.

Amanda currently serves as the Youth Representative for the Interior Designers Association Uganda (IDAU) and the Community and Program Development Lead for the Africa Creatives Alliance (ACA). In this role, she is dedicated to creating and nurturing a vibrant, collaborative, and meaningful community. By championing initiatives that value and empower the creative community, she drives immense impact, ensuring that members thrive and find purpose within the space.

Her work embodies a commitment to innovation, mentorship, and community growth, contributing significantly to the advancement of the design and creative industries.

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Ivan Sewajje leads Brand & Engagement at Africa Creatives Alliance, shaping the identity and influence of ACA’s programs within Africa’s creative ecosystem.

With a passion for brand storytelling and community engagement, he works to strengthen partnerships, drive visibility, and enhance the impact of ACA’s initiatives.

Ivan believes in the power of creative collaboration to fuel innovation and build sustainable opportunities for creatives across the continent.

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Christine brings over 30 years of extensive development experience, including 18 years in senior leadership roles spanning Africa, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the United Kingdom. Throughout her career, she has served as a Policy Advisor and Senior Manager in diverse positions, with a focus on poverty reduction, civil society empowerment, gender equality, women’s empowerment, local economic development, democratic governance, and local self-governance. 

Christine is deeply committed to advancing transformational leadership and innovative development solutions that create inclusive opportunities and drive sustainable change. Her dedication to empowering communities and fostering equity has been a hallmark of her work, making her a respected leader and advocate for systemic growth. 

As the Board Chair of the Africa Creatives Alliance, Christine provides visionary leadership, leveraging her wealth of experience to guide the Alliance in its mission to build a robust and interconnected creative economy across Africa. Her passion for transformative leadership aligns seamlessly with ACA’s goal of driving collaboration, innovation, and opportunities within the cultural and creative industries for the benefit of all. 

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Johanna is an esteemed international consultant and researcher specializing in cultural and creative industries (CCIs), the creative economy, and international cultural relations. She has dedicated her career to facilitating connections between the arts, culture, creative sectors, business, and politics, fostering innovative collaborations that drive systemic change. 

In 2023, Johanna served as the lead author and chief analyst for the policy brief Arts & Design-based Collaboration and Cross-Innovation: Practices to be Enabled, Orchestrated and Championed for Systemic Impact for the Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture. In 2022, she co-authored Artisans of Innovation: Artists, Designers, and Business in Cross-Sector Collaboration – A Report on Untapped Potential for Systemic Change, and led workshops on this transformative topic for government administrations and sector professionals. 

Johanna’s extensive experience includes leading a mission under the EU-Algeria Association Agreement at Algeria’s Ministry of Finance Foresight Department, where her consultations with public and private sectors established mechanisms to align cultural policy with economic development. She has also provided technical assistance on various projects across Africa through the EU Cultural Relations Platform and worked as a CCI expert for organizations such as the European Commission and KPMG Saudi Arabia. 

As a scientific board member of the South-South Cooperation Council, Johanna conceptualized a program addressing culture’s role in driving peace across Africa. For the Africa Creatives Alliance, she authored The Moonshot 8: An Orchestrated and Prosperous Creative Economy, Catalyzing Sustainable Growth in Africa, a seminal publication advancing the vision of a robust and interconnected creative economy. 

With her wealth of knowledge and global expertise, Johanna brings invaluable insight to the Africa Creatives Alliance, championing initiatives that harness the potential of CCIs to create sustainable growth and transformative impact across the continent. 

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CK is a visionary entrepreneur and ecosystem builder, renowned for his transformative contributions to Africa’s creative and innovation landscapes. As the founder of MoTIV, East Africa’s largest creative hub and makerspace, CK has spearheaded efforts to empower creative entrepreneurs by providing the infrastructure, tools, and networks needed to thrive in the global creative economy. 

CK is also the co-founder of The Innovation Village, where he led the creation of one of Africa’s first self-sustaining innovation hub models. His emphasis on ecosystem development over isolated interventions has set a benchmark for sustainable innovation across the continent, highlighting the power of interconnected ecosystems in driving economic growth and resilience. 

A thought leader in corporate innovation, CK has played a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s emerging trends, inspiring major corporations to embrace open innovation initiatives. His work has bridged the gap between traditional industries and the innovation economy, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability within established businesses. 

As a Board Member of the Africa Creatives Alliance, CK brings his expertise in ecosystem development, corporate innovation, and creative economy growth to advance ACA’s mission. His pioneering work continues to inspire the next generation of African innovators and creatives to build sustainable and globally competitive enterprises. 

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Diana is a dynamic leader, media innovator, and communication strategist with over a decade of experience in advancing storytelling and empowering youth in Africa. She is the Founder and CEO of Blue Oceans, a media and communications consultancy established in 2012. Blue Oceans has gained recognition for developing and executing impactful communication and media strategies across private, public, and civil society sectors. Guided by a vision to create authentic content by Rwandans for the world, Blue Oceans has become a significant force in Rwanda’s media industry. 

A passionate advocate for creative expression and youth development, Diana co-founded Spoken Word Rwanda in 2011, a platform dedicated to nurturing poetry and spoken word talent among Rwandan youth. She is also the Founding Curator of the Kigali Global Shapers Hub, part of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers program, which connects and mobilizes young leaders to create transformative change worldwide. 

As a Board Member of the Africa Creatives Alliance, Diana leverages her experience in media, youth engagement, and knowledge management to strengthen the creative economy across the continent. Her commitment to empowering young talent and amplifying African voices aligns with ACA’s mission to build a thriving and interconnected creative ecosystem that drives sustainable development and innovation. 

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Maryam, widely known as Alhanislam, is an internationally celebrated Nigerian poet, speaker, and advocate for social change. Renowned for her powerful spoken word performances, she uses her art to tackle pressing issues such as equality, justice, and societal transformation. Her work inspires audiences and drives meaningful conversations on a global scale. 

Alhanislam has graced the stages of major international platforms, including the United Nations’ Summit of the Future and COP28, where her performances have left a lasting impact. Her ability to blend creativity with advocacy has positioned her as a leading voice in using art for social change. 

She is also the founder of True My Voice, an organization dedicated to empowering African poets and storytellers to share their narratives with confidence and purpose. Through this platform, Alhanislam nurtures a new generation of creatives, fostering a culture of impactful storytelling across the continent. 

As a Board Member of the Africa Creatives Alliance, Maryam brings her passion for storytelling and her dedication to amplifying African voices. Her vision aligns with ACA’s mission to build a prosperous creative economy in Africa by championing the power of art and narrative to drive sustainable growth and transformation. 

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Gbite is the Founder and Managing Partner of ODBA, an early-stage venture capital firm based in London, dedicated to supporting visionary individuals shaping the future through technology. With over 20 years of experience in Financial Services, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, Gbite has built a reputation as a driving force in Africa’s investment ecosystem. 

ODBA’s mission is rooted in Gbite’s unwavering belief in people-driven innovation. The firm invests in individuals behind the ventures, focusing on sectors such as Edtech, Fintech, Healthtech, and Logistics. His guidance has been instrumental in the growth of numerous startups, helping them navigate challenges and scale their impact. 

Beyond ODBA, Gbite has co-founded and led other successful ventures, showcasing his expertise in entrepreneurship and his deep understanding of the African market’s unique dynamics. His commitment to advancing the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) is exemplified by his emphasis on crafting compelling narratives that highlight the sector’s current progress and immense future potential. 

An avid art collector and investor in the arts, Gbite’s passion for creativity complements his professional endeavors. As a Board Member of the Africa Creatives Alliance, he brings a wealth of experience in venture capital, strategic thinking, and a deep appreciation for the arts, positioning him as a champion for innovation and sustainable growth in Africa’s creative economy. 

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Anna is the Executive Director of AfriLabs, a leading pan-African network of over 400 technology and innovation hubs across 52 African countries and the diaspora. She is a key driver of Africa’s innovation ecosystem, leading the AfriLabs community towards its vision of a thriving innovation economy. Under her leadership, AfriLabs develops impactful initiatives and fosters multi-stakeholder partnerships that empower African innovation hubs and entrepreneurs to drive economic growth and social development. 

An international speaker, trainer, and mentor, Anna is deeply engaged in shaping the global conversation on innovation and technology policy. She serves in several high-level advisory roles, including as a member of the Africa-Europe Foundation Digital Strategy Task Force, the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Technology Policy, and the NESG Strategic Group on Mining and Manufacturing. 

With a passion for ecosystem building and cross-sector collaboration, Anna brings invaluable expertise to the Africa Creatives Alliance, ensuring that creative and technology-driven enterprises have the support they need to scale and thrive across the continent.