Digital creator Hauwa Lawal delivered one of the most resonant messages at NECLive 2025, explaining how storytelling is central to Africa’s cultural impact. Speaking during the panel session “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise,” she highlighted that Nigerian creators are increasingly shaping global narratives by sharing authentic lived experiences.
“The creative economy can only be exported when Africans take ownership of their stories,” Hauwa said. She described how her own work is rooted in a community that feels seen when she creates content about identity, daily life, and social realities. She added that many Nigerians still face strange questions and assumptions outside the country because global audiences are often exposed to limited portrayals of African life. This, she noted, makes it even more crucial for creators to tell fuller, more human stories.
Hauwa further emphasized that digital communities now give creators the ability to reach global audiences without relying on traditional gatekeepers. “The world runs on stories, and African creators can thrive by embracing their own voices,” she said, highlighting the transformative power of authenticity and community in building Africa’s creative influence
