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At NECLive 2025, Dolapo Amusat, Founder of WeTalkSound, highlighted the vital role of community in building sustainable creative businesses in Africa.

He shared that WeTalkSound started as a community before evolving into a full-fledged company, reflecting a broader truth about the creative sector. “Communities are the bedrock of creativity,” Amusat said. “Your content consumers are not just viewers. They feel like they’re part of whatever you’re building.”

Amusat added that the world’s most successful creatives and platforms thrive on strong, engaged communities, making audience involvement a strategic necessity rather than an afterthought.

At NECLive 2025, Yinka Obebe, Founder & CEO of PopCentral, highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in Africa’s creative industries.

“AI is that one single thing that’s our advantage,” Obebe said, emphasizing how leveraging technology can give African creatives a competitive edge on the global stage. Her remarks underscored the importance of innovation and forward-thinking strategies in building a sustainable and internationally recognized creative ecosystem.

At NECLive 2025, Mike Dada, President of AFRIMA and Lead Consultant at PRM Africa Marketing & Communications Ltd., offered a candid perspective on the challenges African creatives face in gaining global recognition.

“I always say that in Africa you can have masquerades performing but not the Grammys,” Dada said, highlighting the gap between Africa’s rich cultural expressions and the international platforms that acknowledge them. He stressed the need for stronger infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and global engagement to ensure African talent receives the recognition it deserves on the world stage.

At NECLive 2025, during the panel session titled “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise,” Chichi Nwoko, Founder & CEO of What Media Group, stressed the importance of nurturing talent and collaboration in Africa’s creative industries.

“As we build, we also need to find builders,” Nwoko said, highlighting that sustainable growth in the creative sector depends not only on visionary leaders but also on the skilled individuals who help bring ideas to life. Her remarks reflected the panel’s focus on strengthening Africa’s creative ecosystem through investment in talent, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships.

At NECLive 2025, digital creator Hauwa Lawal emphasized the significance of authentic storytelling in shaping culture and connecting with audiences.

“It’s important to tell our story,” Hauwa said, highlighting how African creatives can use their narratives to reflect real experiences, inspire communities, and influence perceptions both locally and globally. Her remarks underscored the conference’s focus on empowering creatives to take ownership of their stories and amplify Africa’s cultural voice.

At NECLive 2025, digital creator Hauwa Lawal shared insights on the impact of her work in the creative space, highlighting how storytelling can connect deeply with audiences.

“People see themselves in my story,” Hauwa said, emphasizing the importance of authentic content that resonates with real experiences. Her remarks reflected the broader discussion at the conference on how African creatives can use personal and relatable narratives to engage audiences and drive cultural influence.

At NECLive 2025, during the panel session titled “Building Creative Infrastructure to Power Africa’s Economic Growth,” Colette Otusheso, Chief Executive Officer of Accelerate Media Group, highlighted the immense economic potential of Africa’s creative industries.

“There is billions of dollars in the creative economy space,” Otusheso said, emphasizing the need for strategic investment, infrastructure development, and industry collaboration to fully harness this potential. Her remarks underscored the panel’s focus on building the systems and support structures necessary to drive sustainable growth in Africa’s entertainment and cultural sectors.

At NECLive 2025, Molehi Molekoa, Managing Director of Magna Carta, shared advice for aspiring and established creatives in Africa. She urged professionals in the creative industry to recognize their own value and take their work seriously.

“I would tell anybody in the creative space to take themselves seriously,” Molekoa said, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, strategic thinking, and self-belief in building a sustainable and impactful career. Her remarks resonated with the conference’s broader focus on empowering African creatives to shape the continent’s cultural and economic future.

At NECLive 2025, creative entrepreneur Steve Babaeko speculated on the future of music in Nigeria, predicting that artificial intelligence will soon play a major role in the industry. “Very soon we’ll be surprised that in a couple of years there’ll be AI Nigerian artistes, AI Afrobeats,” he said, highlighting how technology is set to transform both music creation and the wider entertainment landscape.

Babaeko emphasized that embracing innovation is crucial for African creatives to remain competitive on the global stage. He explained that AI could open new possibilities for artists, from producing fresh sounds to reaching wider audiences, while reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a hub of cultural innovation. His remarks reflected NECLive’s ongoing conversation about the intersection of creativity, technology, and the future of Africa’s entertainment ecosystem.

At NECLive 2025, advertising veteran and creative entrepreneur Steve Babaeko celebrated the global rise of Afrobeats, describing it as a genre that has “kicked down the doors of global music.” Babaeko highlighted how Nigerian artists have not only captured international attention but also reshaped the global music landscape, bringing African sounds and stories to the forefront of pop culture.

He emphasized that the success of Afrobeats reflects the power of creativity and strategic storytelling. “This is proof that African music and creativity can compete with the best in the world,” Babaeko said, noting that continued support, investment, and collaboration are key to sustaining the genre’s global impact. His remarks underscored NECLive’s focus on connecting African creatives with international opportunities and celebrating the continent’s rising cultural influence.