Sierra Leone and Kenya have formalized their partnership with The Akuna Group during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026. The agreements, signed by Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh from Sierra Leone and Kenya's Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. A. Korir Sing'Oei, aim to establish the two countries as founding champions of the Commonwealth Creative Economy Partnership. This voluntary initiative seeks to connect talent with investment and markets across the Commonwealth and beyond.
The Commonwealth Creative Economy Partnership aims to foster collaboration among participating countries to improve skills, market access, and livelihoods within the creative sectors of Africa. Sir Idris Elba, representing The Akuna Group, emphasized the power of creativity in forging connections across cultures and transforming those relationships into opportunities. He highlighted the group's mission to bring people together, build connections, and help turn creativity into opportunities for people to earn from their talent.
For Sierra Leone, this partnership aligns with President Dr. Julius Maada Bio's focus on human capital development. Chief Minister Sengeh noted that the country's young people are not a problem to be managed but a resource to invest in. In Kenya, the collaboration enhances the Talanta Hela initiative, providing youth with pathways to market their creative enterprises. The partnership is expected to have a positive impact on the creative sectors of both countries.
The Akuna Group is committed to enhancing skills and production across Africa. One of its initiatives, "From Script to Screen with AI," in collaboration with Google and Curious Refuge, will support emerging filmmakers in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. The initiative is backed by a $1 million Google.org grant and aims to promote local enterprise and sustainable growth.
The Akuna Group's efforts to promote the creative economy extend beyond the Commonwealth Creative Economy Partnership. Sir Idris Elba has been involved in discussions with Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley on initiatives to connect African and Caribbean talent through cultural exchanges. He has also engaged with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham on vocational training pathways for the creative industries.
The agreements signed by Sierra Leone and Kenya pave the way for enhanced collaboration among participating countries. The partnership is expected to improve skills, market access, and livelihoods within the creative sectors of Africa. The Akuna Group, chaired by Sir Idris Elba, continues to build the framework necessary for Africa's creative economy.
The partnership between Sierra Leone, Kenya, and The Akuna Group has the potential to drive sustainable growth and promote local enterprise in Africa. With a focus on human capital development and vocational training, the initiative aims to empower young people to earn a living from their creative talents. The creative economy is expected to play a significant role in the economic development of both countries.
Key points
- The Commonwealth Creative Economy Partnership aims to link talent with investment and markets across the Commonwealth and beyond.
- The Akuna Group's initiative, "From Script to Screen with AI," will support emerging filmmakers in five African countries.
- The partnership between Sierra Leone, Kenya, and The Akuna Group aims to improve skills, market access, and livelihoods within the creative sectors of Africa.
