The Federal Government has forged pivotal partnership with African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim Bank) and others toward ensuring that the creative and tourism sector contributes meaningfully to the nation’s economy.
Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Musawa said the partnerships were initiated and concretised through the ministry.
According to her, some of the strategic partners also include Wakanow, Africa’s premiere tour operator, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and TelAirVision, among others.
The minister said that the collaborative initiatives were in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a one trillion dollars economy from the sector.
Musawa said these collaborations were geared towards driving growth, enhance cultural diplomacy, and boost gross domestic Production (GDP) contribution from the ministry to the nation’s economy.
The minister said investors, Nigerian content creators and other industry players in the creative economy were already benefiting from such partnerships, policy initiatives and bold reforms in the sector.
According to her, a recent deal with Afreximbank enabled Nigeria to secure a 200 million dollars financing facility from the bank to provide essential funding for businesses and entrepreneurs in the creative sector.
She said the move was to ensure that Nigeria’s creatives, ranging from filmmakers to digital innovator, have the capital needed to scale their ventures, create jobs, and expand their global reach.
“The Creative Leap Acceleration Programme (CLAP) is also developed in partnership with Lebara Nigeria that provides creatives with equitable loans, digital financing, and affordable internet access, ensuring their seamless participation in the digital economy.
“Additionally, inbound tourists will benefit from streamlined financial services and eSIM activation, enhancing their experience in Nigeria.
“To strengthen Nigeria’s creative workforce, the ministry has partnered with Alison, a global e-learning provider, integrating its Learning Management System (LMS) into CLAP.
“This offers creatives access to courses in digital media, gaming, music production, and cinematography, positioning Nigeria as a globally competitive creative hub.
“Another key partnership was a boost to digital storytelling through the Content Creators Challenge, a partnership between FMACTCE and TelAirVision.
“This initiative provides funding, mentorship, and distribution support for digital creatives transitioning from short-form to full-length productions.
“By expanding opportunities in the content economy, the program fosters innovation and employment while promoting Nigerian talent on a global stage,” she said.
Musawa said, to ensure financial probity in the sector, fraud prevention measures had been put in place, as the ministry joined forces with Prembly to implement advanced Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.
She further explained a partnership with the Presidential Tax Committee to introduce tax incentives and credits, making Nigeria’s creative sector more appealing to foreign investors.
She said the ministry had also taken steps towards investment in infrastructure by singing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cavista Holdings.
She said that the MoU focused on developing tourism infrastructure, digitising tourism experiences, and investment in human capital.
She said the ministry under her watch, was strengthening international collaborations, including the one with the British Council, to drive skills development and cultural exchanges.
“The ministry has engaged the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to analyse best practices from South Korea, Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, and China.
“These insights will help Nigeria tailors policies that drive the creative economy’s growth and maximise its GDP contribution.
“There is also strategic agreements with Brazil which include the renovation of Casa da Nigeria in Salvador, fostering co-productions in film and music, and promoting cultural exchange.
“Similarly, there is a partnership with the French Republic that grants Nigerian creatives access to French markets and specialised training in fashion, gaming, and cinema,” she said.
Musawa added that the ministry’s strategic partnership initiatives would not only create jobs and attract investment but also position Nigeria as a cultural and creative powerhouse in the global economy.(NAN)
