NCBA, through its Elev8 programme, is sponsoring ten creators to participate in the inaugural Creative Economy 101 cohort launched today by the The Burns Brothers in Partnership with Strathmore University Business School.
Building Sustainable Creative Businesses
The inaugural Programme under the recently launched Creative Economy Africa Institute aims to empower Africa’s creators to build sustainable businesses and careers. The programme brings together industry leaders, educators, creators, and ecosystem partners to strengthen Africa’s creative economy through practical business education. Delivered through creativeeconomy101.com, the self-paced online programme features seven modules available for Kshs. 8,500, covering the foundations of the creative economy, and is certified by Strathmore University Business School.
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The banks sponsorship reflects the important role financial institutions can play in expanding access to entrepreneurial education and supporting the growth of sustainable creative businesses.
“At NCBA, we believe creators are entrepreneurs, innovators, and business builders whose ideas have the power to create jobs and drive economic growth. Through our Elev8 programme, we are proud to support ten creators to participate in Creative Economy 101 and gain access to the skills, knowledge, and networks that will help them grow their enterprises. Supporting the creative economy is not only an investment in talent, but also an investment in Africa’s economic growth,” said Nelly Wainaina, Group Director, Marketing, Communications and Citizenship, NCBA Group.
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Addressing the Business Skills Gap
Creative Economy 101 has been developed in response to one of the greatest challenges facing Africa’s creative industries today: while creative talent is abundant across the continent, many creators lack access to the business knowledge, networks, and practical tools required to transform creativity into sustainable economic opportunity.
“The launch of Creative Economy 101 represents the first step in realizing the vision of the Creative Economy Africa Institute. Africa’s greatest export over the coming decades will be its creativity, culture, innovation, intellectual property, and human potential. Creative Economy 101 is the first of many initiatives we will launch through the Creative Economy Africa Institute as we work to build the knowledge, partnerships, and ecosystems required to unlock the full value of Africa’s creative economy, helping creators build sustainable businesses and generate long-term economic value,” said Mike Burns, President and Founding Partner, The Burns Brothers.
Practical Learning for the Creative Economy
The programme combines insights from entrepreneurs, business leaders, creators, and industry experts to provide practical learning that helps participants better understand entrepreneurship, intellectual property, finance, business growth, and the broader creative economy ecosystem.
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Academic and Industry Collaboration
“The creative economy is one of Africa’s most significant untapped economic opportunities. Through the Creative Economy Africa Institute and programmes such as Creative Economy 101, we are combining academic excellence with practical industry expertise to develop leaders, strengthen ecosystems, and generate the knowledge needed to build a more competitive and inclusive creative economy across the continent,” said Dr. Caesar Mwangi, Executive Dean, Strathmore University Business School.
Preparing Future Talent for Emerging Industries
As Africa’s creative economy grows, the need to prepare future generations for emerging industries is becoming increasingly important. Beyond higher education and professional development, there is a growing recognition that schools must also evolve to reflect changing workforce realities. Industry, educators, and institutions have a shared responsibility to ensure young people are equipped with the skills, mindsets, and capabilities needed to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.
