Flagship Work and Differentiation
ACA's flagship work focuses on strengthening creative-economy ecosystems and the systems that enable them to function — including the role of creative-sector and market intermediaries, methodologies for ecosystem orchestration and cultural and creative sector governance, and arts- and design-based collaboration across sectors. Our current work includes applied research, methodologies and pilots developed and tested with partners across Africa.
CREA Project
CREA (Creative Ecosystem Anchoring) is an Africa Creatives Alliance initiative focused on strengthening the role of cultural and creative ecosystems in civic participation, inclusion, ecosystem coordination, and collaborative problem-solving.
The Uganda Pilot on Arts & Design-Based Civic Collaboration brings together creative intermediaries, civic organisations, refugee creative practitioners from the Horn of Africa, local and international experts, and ecosystem stakeholders to explore how arts- and design-based practices can support more participatory, inclusive, and community-driven approaches to civic engagement.
Through peer learning, co-creation, and applied practice, participants are developing methodologies, facilitation approaches, a Civic–Creative Collaboration Charter, and practical toolkits designed for wider adoption across African creative ecosystems.
Ecosystem Pathways
Frameworks
Building on Moonshot 8, our Ecosystem Pathways paper translates creative economy ambition into structured frameworks for operationalization.
Co-created with key stakeholders, the paper outlines practical pathways for integrating cultural and creative industries into trade and market systems, establishing effective governance and institutional arrangements, strengthening intellectual property and copyright systems, and aligning policy, institutions, and investment for ecosystem growth. These frameworks are designed as applied tools for governments, institutions, and development partners responsible for implementation.
Pan-African Community of Practice (CoP) for Creative Economy Market Intermediaries
ACA is developing a Pan-African Community of Practice connecting mature creative economy market intermediaries — including creative hubs, incubators, accelerators, makerspaces and other entrepreneurship and market-support organisations.
We see intermediary development as more than building the capacity of individual organisations. A sustainable leap forward requires stronger intermediary organisations, but also stronger connections between them, continuous peer learning and a greater recognition of their role within national and regional creative economy ecosystems.
The CoP will provide a platform for experienced intermediaries to exchange practice, develop collaborative approaches and strengthen their collective capacity to connect creative enterprises with markets, finance, knowledge, institutions and opportunities.
The ambition is also systemic: to generate learning and practical evidence that can inform both how intermediaries operate and how governments and development partners engage with, support and invest in intermediary infrastructure. Initially connecting 10–15 organisations across African regions, the CoP will support continuous exchange, ecosystem collaboration and governance engagement, complemented by regular knowledge-sharing and a podcast series capturing practice-based insights and lessons.
Annual Gathering
We design and deliver the Africa Creative Economy Lens (ACEL) as our flagship convening and alignment platform.
Through the ACEL Annual Gathering, we bring together policymakers, development partners, investors, and ecosystem leaders to align priorities, co-create solutions, and advance coordinated action across the creative economy.
The platform serves as a bridge between policy, capital, and delivery, reinforcing our role as a trusted ecosystem convener and strategic partner.