LAGOS, A CULTURAL HUB
In 2025, following President Emmanuel Macron’s commitment, the Forum Création Africa will cross the Mediterranean to establish its second edition in Lagos, Nigeria, one of the cultural powerhouses of the continent. Fueled by a flourishing creative economy and thriving music and film industries, Nigeria has established itself as a driver of global pop culture.
This expanded edition will explore new fields, such as digital innovation in fashion, sound design, and special effects, while welcoming over 1000 African and European participants, particularly from the young and emerging generations. With its renewed ambition, Création Africa Forum aims to establish itself as a landmark event on the global creative calendar, connecting the vibrant creativity of the African continent to new markets and audiences worldwide.
PROGRAM
- 3 days: 2 professional and 1 public
- 2 evening events: cocktail and concert (1 private evening and 1 public evening)
- Talks, conferences, workshops, pitches, professional meetings, etc.
- Award Ceremony
FOCAL DISCIPLINES
- Video Games
- Animation
- Webtoons
- Extended Reality (AR/VR)
- TV Series
- Digital Fashion
- Sound Design
- Visual Effects (VFX)
PARTICIPANTS
- Media and opinion leaders
- Entrepreneurs and creatives: artists, producers, festivals, publishers, etc. with a focus of young generation (40% under 33 in 2023)
- Companies and startups
- Officials
- General local public
THE LOCATION : THE CHOICE OF THE FEDERAL PALACE HOTEL
Hosting the Forum Création Africa 2025 at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos is a highly symbolic choice. This venue is not merely a prestigious hotel: it is deeply rooted in the political, cultural, and artistic history of Nigeria and the African continent. In 1960, it was the stage for the proclamation and celebration of Nigeria’s independence, marking the dawn of a new era for the nation. Seventeen years later, in 1977, it once again established itself as a global gathering space with FESTAC ’77, where artists, thinkers, and creators from Africa and the diaspora affirmed the strength of a shared cultural identity and the ambition of a common creative future.
Today, this very venue welcomes a new chapter in that history: the meeting of Africa’s cultural and creative industries. Forum Création Africa 2025 continues this legacy by bringing together entrepreneurs, artists, producers, innovators, and decision-makers to jointly envision new models of collaboration. Within this historically resonant setting, the aim is not only to celebrate the richness and diversity of our artistic expressions but also to build concrete bridges between sectors—music, cinema, design, fashion, visual arts, digital, to foster shared dynamics and strengthen Africa’s presence on the global stage.
Like Aban, a symbol of fortress, authority, and grandeur, the Federal Palace embodies both the solidity of African heritage and the vitality of forward-looking creativity. Here, we create together, share our knowledge, and bring forth collective visions so that Africa continues to inspire and shine.
BRINGING THE EDITORIAL VISION TO LIFE
Once the editorial vision was established, we developed a multitude of formats to ensure it resonates with a diverse audience. Dynamic, engaging, and carefully structured, the program is designed not only to entertain but also to address contemporary issues, provoke reflection, and inspire dialogue across disciplines. Each segment of the Forum has been crafted to offer a balance between insight, creativity, and interaction, making the experience both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging.
To bring this vision to life on the ground, Marie LORA-MUNGAI and David ADÉLÉKÉ, the Forum’s masterful hosts, will guide the audience through the program. They will present each session, facilitate discussions, and moderate panels, ensuring a seamless flow between presentations, workshops, and interactive moments. Their role is pivotal in translating the editorial concept into an immersive experience, creating connections between speakers, creators, and attendees, and fostering a space where ideas can flourish. With their guidance, the Forum becomes more than a series of events—it becomes a living, breathing platform where African creativity, innovation, and cultural narratives are celebrated in all their richne.
Marie Lora-Mungai
Marie Lora-Mungai is an investor, strategic advisor, entrepreneur, and author focused on Africa’s Creative Industries and Sports Business, with 20 years’ experience across 27 countries. She publishes HUSTLE & FLOW, a data-driven newsletter read by nearly 10,000 stakeholders, and is a sought-after speaker and host. Through her keynotes, workshops, and writing, she works to raise financial and business literacy among creative entrepreneurs. A financing specialist, she builds strategies and tools that enable public and private investment in the creative sector. Her firm, Restless Global, advises governments, DFIs (IFC, Afreximbank, AFD, Proparco) and private-sector clients (Netflix, Warner Bros., TRACE). Previously, she founded Restless Talent Management, streaming platform Buni.tv (acquired by TRACE) and Buni Media, producer of THE XYZ SHOW (Kenya) and OGAS AT THE TOP (Nigeria). Earlier in her career, she was an award-winning journalist for CNN, BBC, AFP TV and Reuters TV.
David I. Adeleke – Founder & CEO, Communiqué
David I. Adeleke is a media founder, strategist, and storyteller shaping Africa’s creative economy. He is the founder and CEO of Communiqué, a media and intelligence company reaching over 140,000 creators, investors, and policymakers across 105 countries. David was formerly Africa Editor at Rest of World, led Business Insider Africa, and held roles at Ventures Africa and TechCabal. His work has appeared in The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Semafor, and The Continent. He is a Media and Journalism Fellow with the Charles Koch Institute, studied Mass Communication at Covenant University, and holds certificates from Yale, Copenhagen Business School, and London Business School.
