The inaugural Digital
Creator Africa (DCA) Summit has set a new benchmark for the continent’s
creator economy, uniting Nigeria and Africa’s leading creators, creatives,
brands, and cultural voices. The event took place on the 18th of September at
the Africa Creative Market at Landmark Village, Victoria Island Lagos.
Convened by Creative Business Consultant Ifeoma ‘Oma Areh, the
headline moment came during the keynote address by Nigerian media entrepreneur Chude
Jideonwo, who unveiled the Fourth Mainland Creator Fund, a
groundbreaking $500,000 initiative that will provide direct capital to
individual African creators. Speaking under the theme “Overtaking is
Allowed,” Jideonwo announced that the fund will officially commence
operations in January 2026, capitalized by nearly ₦1 billion of his
personal funds.
Unlike traditional grant or mentorship programs, the Fourth
Mainland Fund is designed to invest directly in individual creators rather
than companies or NGOs, prioritizing bold innovators who deeply understand
their audiences and have the potential to scale into global media brands.
“Grants do not build empires. Mentorship does not scale
industries. Capital does,” Jideonwo declared. “Creators do not need permission;
they need people betting on them in a systemic pattern.”
The fund will be platform-agnostic, supporting
creators wherever they thrive — from YouTube and TikTok to Instagram,
Substack, and beyond. Managed by Jideonwo’s Joy Inc, under newly
appointed CEO Jennifer Mairo, the fund will also introduce a “record
label for creators”, further amplifying Africa’s voice on the global stage.
Spotlight Sessions and Highlights
The summit featured high-impact spotlight sessions across
multiple industries and creator segments:
- Tomike
Adeoye shared her journey from content creation to commerce, showing
how she built a thriving influencer-to-entrepreneur brand.
- Chichi
Nworah, in conversation with Mykel Parish, unpacked the
blueprint for building a sustainable African creative empire across
multiple countries.
- David
Adeleke joined NCAC’s Director General Obi Asika and DCA
Convener Ifeoma ‘Oma Areh to dissect insights from Nigeria’s
Creative Economy Report, guiding creators on how to “follow the
money.”
- Filmmaker
and brand architect Orji Emmanuel (Tyla E) and Mainstack founder
Ayobami Oyaleke delivered an in-depth session on “The Monetizable
Brand: Techniques, Tools, and Strategies for the Profitable Creator.”
- Malik
Afegbua presented a visionary spotlight on the exciting future of AI-powered
creativity.
- A
powerful conversation on Sponsorships and Brands was steered by Charles
Ugochukwu Born, featuring brand leaders Mabel Adeteye, Franklin
Ozekhome, Abiola Fabio, and Olufemi Oguntamu, who revealed how
creators can forge long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships into
sustainable revenue.
- The Digital
Box Office featured streaming pioneers Jesimiel Damina, Ariyike
Owolagba, Olufemi Oguntamu, and Dami Dawson, who discussed the future
of mainstream streaming and the unique role of African storytelling.
- In From
Creator to Creative Entrepreneur, Tosin Ajibade (Olorisupergal),
David I. Adeleke (Communique) Uchechi Ihuoma (Curately),
and respected lifestyle creator Sisi Yemmie shared how
profitability can be unlocked in niche creator fields.
- The UGC
Panel brought together Tessy Olota, Toniloba Itabiyi (The Media
Girl), Victoire Mahounou, and Ama Udofa (The Amazing Ama) to
explore community-building as the backbone of creator influence.
Moderation was provided by fashion entrepreneur Yolanda
Okereke, media personality and actor Charles Ugochukwu Born, and cultural
ambassador Mykel Parish and media expert Deji Garuba while the summit was
hosted by Isabella Adediji and Grand Prince Ita.
A New Chapter for Africa’s Creator Economy
“Digital Creator Africa is proof that Africa’s creator
economy is no longer on the margins; it is at the center,” said Ifeoma ‘Oma
Areh, Convener of DCA. “From skitmakers to filmmakers, food influencers to
educators, digital product builders to AI enthusiasts, we are showing the full
spectrum of talent and giving them the systems, structures, and now capital
they need to thrive.”
The event positioned Digital Creator Africa as a
platform for creators of all kinds; those who post, those who build, and those
who support the ecosystem, emphasizing that applied vision, aligned structure, strategic
visibility, niche innovation and systems are the foundation of monetization.
The Digital Creator Africa Summit was proudly
supported by the Africa Creative Market (ACM), the continent’s premier
platform for trade, collaboration, and partnerships in the creative economy.
ACM continues to drive opportunities for African creators to connect with
global stakeholders, expanding Africa’s creative industries into sustainable engines
of economic growth. It was also supported by The WildFlower Company,
WildFlower PR, WildPepper Studios, Mainstack, The Orange Group and CWAY Group.
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