The inaugural U.S.-Kenya Creative Economy Forum unveiled substantial opportunities for U.S. companies to invest in Kenya’s creative sector. Hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Kenya and the American Chamber of Commerce in Kenya (AmCham Kenya), the event was hosted under the theme Powering the Future of the Creative Economy.
The forum showcased Kenya’s trajectory to double the GDP contribution of its creative economy from 5% to 10% by the end of 2025, presenting American investors with a market ripe for strategic partnerships and exponential growth potential. “Kenya’s creative industries already contribute at least five percent to the country’s GDP. There is every reason to believe that this percentage can grow significantly larger, with the right focus on a creative economy that rewards innovation, talent, brand-building, and dynamic business engagement,” said Marc Dillard, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kenya.
The forum revealed compelling investment fundamentals positioning Kenya as an attractive market for American creative enterprises.
The forum highlighted three sectors with immediate investment potential:
- Kenya’s film industry offers American production companies competitive costs and diverse talent.
- The music sector provides unprecedented opportunities for U.S. record labels and streaming services to access local and pan-African markets
- Kenya’s passionate sports culture presents significant prospects for American sports franchises and athletic development organizations to establish continental operations.
Partnership Framework AmCham Kenya CEO Maxwell Okello announced a dedicated task force to facilitate ongoing U.S.-Kenya creative industry partnerships. “With the support of the U.S. Embassy, the Kenyan Government, and AmCham Kenya, we are building the foundation for a creative economy that is mainstream, investable, and scalable, an economy where potential is transformed into prosperity, and talent evolves into thriving industry,” Okello stated.