The Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA) has equipped 150 female digital creators with skills to build sustainable careers in Nigeria's growing creative economy. The creators participated in Creator HQ, a three-day programme in Lagos, from September 28th to 30th, 2026. The initiative aimed to strengthen Africa's creative economy by providing emerging creatives with artistic, technical, and business knowledge.
Creator HQ focused on "Create, Protect and Scale," equipping participants with skills in content creation, storytelling, and personal branding. The programme also covered intellectual property protection, monetisation, and global income opportunities. Participants learned about brand partnerships, audience development, and the business of content creation. The initiative was supported by the Mastercard Foundation and other partners.
The programme combined workshops, classroom sessions, and group exercises with creator challenges and networking opportunities. Participants applied lessons through practical creator challenges and hands-on activities. Outstanding participants received content creation tools and creator kits to continue developing their work.
The initiative extended beyond the three-day event, with all 150 participants receiving press passes to the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) on November 14 and 15. The festival will bring together theatre, culture, and creative expression, providing creators with an opportunity to document the event and engage with a wider creative ecosystem.
Founder of TAFTA, Bolanle Austen-Peters, emphasized that talent and online visibility are no longer sufficient for creators seeking sustainable careers. Creators need to understand how to protect their work, create sustainable income, and build structures around their work.
Austen-Peters highlighted the importance of empowering women in the creative economy. She noted that there is tremendous talent across Africa, particularly among young women who are creating, influencing culture, and building communities online. Empowering women is critical to ensuring broader participation in the continent's growing creative economy.
The Creator HQ programme was designed to provide young women with practical knowledge, access, and tools to take greater ownership of their creative careers. The initiative is part of TAFTA's broader commitment to strengthening Africa's creative economy.
Key points
- Empowering women is critical to ensuring broader participation in the continent's growing creative economy.
- The programme equipped participants with skills in content creation, storytelling, and personal branding.
- The initiative extended beyond the three-day event, with participants receiving press passes to the Lagos International Theatre Festival.
