The Entertainment Week Africa (EWA) says it has raised about three million dollars for creatives across its three previous editions and hosted over 50,000 visitors for collaboration, creative development and funding.
The Co-founder of LiveSpot Entertainment and organisers of EWA, Dare Art Alade, said this during an interview on Friday in Lagos.
Alade, who is also a Nigerian multi-platinum Afro R&B singer and songwriter, said EWA is a platform that served as a meeting point for Africa’s creative professionals, young talents, investors and policymakers.
He said EWA, formerly known as Entertainment Week Lagos, aimed at providing solutions that not only benefits the creative sector but the larger society.
“The bottom line is that the challenges are similar across the entire continent.
“If we come together, we can discuss those challenges and discuss the solutions to those challenges.
“We can also have fun while we’re at it. So, we also have showcases, entertainment events, concerts, fashion shows and all that,” he said.
He highlighted EWA’s impact, including its multimillion dollar funding pool and several success stories of young creatives who launched their careers through the platform.
“Over the last three editions, we’ve raised between $2 million to $3 million for creatives, whether it’s start-up stage, first-round funding.
“We bring investors, bring venture capitalists who are looking for creatives or looking for projects we can put money in that are bankable.
“Over 50,000 people have attended all the multiple days across the three editions that we’ve had success stories,” he said.
Alade said the platform had become a home for young African creatives, especially Gen Z talents, in fields such as content creation, music, fashion animation and comedy.
Citing an example, he said a participant who attended the first edition seeking to enter filmmaking returned to showcase her first short film, after a year of guidance and exposure gotten through the event.
“She didn’t know anything about filmmaking; now, one year later, she’s featuring her first ever short film,” he said.
Alade said the ongoing fourth edition of EWA, holding at different venues, would create opportunities for young creatives to learn, collaborate and gain access to resources through the various sessions at the event.
“We have everything from masterclasses to workshops and panel discussions.
“We also provide funding for ideas for startups to either start the business or fund their project or fund a platform or an app,” he said.
Alade noted that there are ongoing engagements with corporate and international partners, including Nigerian Breweries, state governments, the United States and British government.