NECLive 2025 Charts A New Course For Transforming Africa’s Ingenuity Into Economic Value
The Nigerian Entertainment Conference, NECLive 2025, on Friday set a new direction for transforming Africa’s cultural influence into tangible economic value, as industry leaders, creators and policymakers gathered at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, to discuss the future of the continent’s creative enterprise.
The conference, now in its 13th year, focused on the theme “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise” and featured over 50 speakers across media, film, music, fashion and technology. Hosted by Tee A and Bolanle Olukanni,
the event attracted major industry players including Steve Babaeko, A’isha Umar Mumuni, Busola Tejumola, Colette Otusheso, Ayeni Adekunle, Ayo Animashaun, Efe Omoregbe, Moliehi Molekoa and other notable figures. Also present were the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, and designer Mai Atafo.
In his opening conversation, Convener of NECLive, Ayeni Adekunle, said the world was ready to better understand African entertainment, adding that creativity had an important role to play in addressing Nigeria’s social and economic challenges. According to him, Nigeria possesses some of the brightest creators globally, but the absence of critical infrastructure continues to limit value capture.
“We are potentially rich, with natural resources and people,” he said. “We are clear about where we want to be, and I think we are on course.”
Adekunle explained that when NECLive started 13 years ago, it was the only platform driving structured conversation around Africa’s creative sector. He noted that the rise of multiple conferences today signaled growing awareness and increasing investor interest.
He added that a new fund to support young creators and innovators—especially those without access to conventional financing—would be announced next year, underscoring NECLive’s shift toward practical interventions beyond discussions.
Speakers across the sessions echoed the need for urgent reforms to help Africa claim a bigger share of the $2.25 trillion global creative economy. They noted that while Nigeria’s creative sector is valued at over $4.2 billion annually, challenges around funding, infrastructure gaps, weak intellectual property protection and distribution continue to undermine sectoral competitiveness.
Many participants argued that Africa had moved past proving its global relevance in entertainment, noting that the continent’s music, film, fashion and digital creators already command international attention. The real priority, they stressed, was accelerating investment, strengthening the policy environment and building the systems required to retain value within the continent.
NECLive 2025 was produced by Nigerian Entertainment Today and the Africa Creative Foundation, in association with ID Africa, BHM and Huce Valeris, with support from sponsors including MultiChoice, MTN Nigeria, First Bank and The Macallan.
