Gazmadu Education, in partnership with Fujifilm, is championing African artists and creative entrepreneurs through its Art Business of Creativity conference, aimed at transforming local talent into global enterprise.

Regarded as one of Africa’s leading gatherings for creatives, the three-day event, themed “Beyond Borders: Connecting African Creativity to the Global Stage,” recently held at Balmoral Hall, Ikeja, Lagos, and brought together photographers, filmmakers, designers, musicians and visual artists from across the continent and diaspora.

Founder and CEO of Gazmadu, Yagazie Eguare, described the conference as a movement that celebrates collaboration, culture and creative courage. She said ABC was conceived during the COVID-19 lockdown as a space where art meets strategy, and where creatives could build sustainable businesses despite uncertainty.

Eguare noted that this year’s edition expanded the vision by bridging creativity with commerce through keynotes, panels, exhibitions and masterclasses. According to her, the goal is to equip African creatives to build global brands and impact-driven enterprises.

Special Assistant to the President on Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Ayomide Adeagbo, stressed that creativity has become a powerful form of global diplomacy, shaping how the world sees Nigeria through film, music, fashion and digital culture.

He added that Nigeria’s creative industry continues to boost the country’s international image and national development, calling creatives “our foremost cultural ambassadors.”

Fujifilm’s representative, Richard Lackey, reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to investing in African storytellers through mentorship and partnerships that amplify emerging voices across the continent.