Tekira Africa launches in Abuja with strong backing from ministries to empower women and drive Africa’s creative economy

Tekira Africa took centre stage in Abuja on Tuesday, as federal ministries pledged strong support for the platform’s bold mission to empower women and reshape Africa’s creative economy.

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At the official launch of the initiative, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, hailed Tekira Africa as a “game-changer” that could transform the continent’s creative landscape if fully embraced.

Founded by renowned photojournalist Bayo Omoboriowo, Tekira Africa is designed to serve as a cultural and creative hub — providing mentorship, funding, and global exposure to creative talents, while also helping them scale into sustainable enterprises.

“Tikera Africa emerges at a pivotal moment. It builds on impactful initiatives like MADhouse by Tikera, which has already incubated trailblazing creative programmes,” Musawa said.

She affirmed her ministry’s commitment to expanding access to training hubs, creative residencies, and enterprise support, positioning artisans at the heart of cultural and economic development.

Women Take Centre Stage

Also at the launch, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, introduced the Woman-Led Artisanship Initiative under Tekira Africa, emphasizing that empowering women in the creative sector is no longer optional but strategically essential.

“It is indeed Women O’Clock. Women are the innovators in our markets, leaders in our boardrooms, and guardians of our homes,” she declared.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim stressed that placing women at the core of Africa’s $1 trillion creative economy vision will unlock new opportunities and build resilient economies.

She called on stakeholders across government and industry to invest in women as a smart economic strategy, not charity.

Linking Creativity and Enterprise

Omoboriowo described Tekira Africa as a bridge between passion and enterprise, aimed at closing the gap between creative expression and commercial success.

“For us at Tekira Africa, we need to connect the bridge between craft and commerce,” he said, reaffirming the platform’s openness to partnerships.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr John Momoh of Channels Television, expressed full confidence in the Tekira vision, promising it would remain a beacon of innovation for talent across the continent.

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The high-profile launch brought together top government officials, industry leaders, cultural icons, and creatives, marking a significant step in building a people-focused, enterprise-driven creative ecosystem for Africa.