The second edition of Creative Economy Week, which is a series of curated events presented by the British Council in partnership with the Swiss Development Agency for Cooperation, wraps up today in Harare.
From March 5, creatives from Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, the UK, and Zimbabwe converged at The Venue in Avondale, Harare for industry roundtables in literature, music and fashion. Business and industry leaders shared valuable insights on the creative economy’s impact across the country.
Event activities included panel discussions on creative economy intellectual property, Zimbabwean fashion and global opportunities for local music artists, and masterclasses on music distribution, marketing, contracts, and sustainable fashion practices.
Oasis Creators Hub in Belmont, Bulawayo saw Magitare Confluence organised by Magitare Africa Trust and led by Tariro “neGitare” Chaniwa. The Bulawayo chapter of the Creative Economy Week came to an end this past Friday and explored creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It featured notable industry professionals in arts and business, including Dumisani Nkala, the managing director at Telco Broadband and Beyond, Walter Wanyanya, Terrence Mugova, Carl Joshua Ncube, Mpi Ndebele, and Cleopatra Dube.
According to officials, this year’s theme, Growth Re-imagined: Putting people and their creative potential at the centre of sustainable growth, highlights the importance of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity in the creative sector.
Speaking during a press conference hosted at the British Council premises last Tuesday, Farai Ncube the Regional Arts director at the British Council (Africa Region) said the importance of Creative Economy Week was to create new partnerships and opportunities for collaboration, as well as impart and exchange knowledge, ideas and skills among the creative sectors, policy makers and inform the private sector of the relevance of the creative economy into their businesses, which is a key part of the creative economy.
In an interview with Standard Style, Richard Nyamanhindi, the programme manager-arts and culture at the Embassy of Switzerland spoke broadly about the Creative Economy Week. Nyamanhindi said the creative extravaganza aligns closely with their commitment to supporting cultural exchange, skills development, and entrepreneurship through the embassy’s flagship initiative, the Swiss Support to Arts Development in Zimbabwe (SSADZA).
“We believe that investing in the creative industries not only strengthens local economies but also nurtures inclusive and vibrant communities.
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"The 2025 theme, Growth Re-Imagined, resonates with Switzerland’s broader vision of fostering innovation and sustainable development. By empowering Zimbabwean creatives, we hope to contribute to a future where artistic talent thrives as a key driver of economic and social progress.”
Creative Economy Week Zimbabwe is part of the British Council’s Creative Economy programme, which aims to strengthen the creative and cultural industries across the continent. The event brings together creatives, artists, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, policymakers, and cultural enthusiasts to explore opportunities for innovation, skills and education, market access, and economic growth in the creative sector.
According to Nyamanhindi, the Creative Economy Week serves as a springboard for deeper collaboration between the Embassy of Switzerland, the British Council and key stakeholders, including the Sports, Arts and Recreation ministry, the private sector, and creative industry leaders.
“By fostering dialogue and innovation, we aim to strengthen long-term partnerships that drive sustainable growth. The insights and connections formed during this week will help shape future joint initiatives under the SSADZA programme, expanding opportunities for cultural exchange, skills development, and investment in Zimbabwe’s creative industries,” he said.
Last year’s edition saw significant engagement, of an estimated half a million individuals participating in workshops, masterclasses, showcases, and media initiatives.
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities and supports peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
The Swiss Embassy serves as the official representation of Switzerland, fostering diplomatic relations and promoting Swiss interests across political, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, and media sectors.
