An important milestone for Sierra Leone’s creative and cultural industries was reached when the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone proudly attended the Creative Accelerator Pilot Program graduation ceremony and the launch of the Creative Economy Diagnostic Report at Creative Hub Africa (CHA). The event was attended by Ms. Nabeela Farida Tunis, the Honourable Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, demonstrating the high level of government support for the growth of the industry.
The event showcased the diversity and vitality of Sierra Leone’s creative talent in the fields of music, fashion, crafts, and audiovisual production by honouring 24 outstanding women-led businesses that grew out of the accelerator. The commencement demonstrated how focused assistance and training can assist innovative business owners in formalising their operations, safeguarding their intellectual property, and transitioning from unofficial endeavours to long-term, profitable businesses.
This program is a component of a larger EU collaboration with C-JET and Finance for Development (F4D) that aims to support the creative and cultural industries and make it possible for Sierra Leonean artists to earn a living from their work. The C-JET Umbrella Trust Fund is being used by the World Bank and the European Commission to boost the private sector’s expansion and increase creative entrepreneurs’ access to capital, technical support, and market opportunities.
Working with the private sector and the Sierra Leonean government to enhance the business environment so that creative enterprises and all other kinds of businesses can register, formalise, and run more effectively is one of the EU-supported initiative’s top priorities. Additionally, the program fosters business collaboration by motivating participants to identify shared challenges and jointly create solutions that benefit the industry as a whole. A key component of the strategy is ensuring geographic inclusivity: the EU aims to expand opportunities outside of Freetown to provinces and rural areas so that all communities can benefit from a thriving creative economy.
The EU reaffirmed its commitment to promoting innovation, generating jobs, and empowering women, young people, and entrepreneurs. The EU hopes to show that culture is not just a source of identity but also a potent force behind inclusive prosperity and long-term economic growth for Sierra Leone by assisting creative professionals and businesses.
