Creators from Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria took center stage at the Voices in Motion Creative Summit 2026 courtesy of Swiss Sportswear brand On. The summit explored the power of owning African storytelling and the opportunities shaping Africa’s creative economy.
Held in Nairobi, the summit brought together seasoned experts from across the creative sector to mentor emerging talent, help them in identifying creative niches and the professional and commercial realities of working in the industry.
The program featured urban photographer Mutua Matheka, film director Enos Olik, advertising creative Emuron Alemu, sports journalists Carol Radull and Lynn Wachira, among other experts. Their collective experience across the wider creative economy offered participants diverse perspectives on building their skills, developing compelling narratives, and navigating the creative landscape.
Visual storytellers Mutua Matheka and Enos Olik offered insights on documenting African stories, cultures, and identities through locally grounded narratives, and the craft of translating ideas into compelling productions.
Emuron Alemu explored the realities of scaling as a creative, building sustainable careers, and positioning African talent for success at a greater stage. He also emphasized the importance of having infrastructure that supports the unlocking of the continent’s creative potential. “The gap between the talent and the systems to support holds the key to translate skills into lasting success.”
Sports media personalities Carol Radull and Lynn Wachira brought their experience of sports broadcasting, elaborating the power of storytelling in sports. Their sessions highlighted how compelling narratives can bring audiences closer to athletes and sports, capture defining moments, and build stronger communities between fans.
Together, the speakers highlighted the importance of combining technical expertise with strategic thinking, professional discipline, and a clear understanding of the audiences they want to reach.
Speaking at the summit, Navalayo Osembo, Director of Africa at On, said. ” As Africa’s creative economy evolves, it is upon us to provide platforms that invest in talent development and knowledge sharing. By providing mentorship for the upcoming generation of creators, we are enabling them to improve their craft, navigate challenges, and contribute to the continent’s cultural and economic growth.”
The summit comes at a time when digital platforms are shaping how African stories are produced, distributed and monetized. According to PwC’s Entertainment and Media Outlook 2026-2030 report, Kenya’s internet market is projected to grow from US$313 million in 2025 to US$603 million by 2030, reflecting the growing commercial potential around digital content.
Yet, despite growing audiences and expanding digital opportunities, monetization remains a challenge for most creators. The Africa Creator Economy 2.0 reveals that 60% of African creators earn less than 100$ per month from their digital work, highlighting the gap between growing an audience and generating sustainable income from creative income. The summit sought to bridge the gap by equipping emerging creators with the knowledge to develop their craft, navigate the realities of the industry, and tell African stories with greater confidence and commercial purpose
As Africa’s sports, fashion, music, and contemporary culture continue to attract international attention and funding, creators have an opportunity to shape how these stories are documented and understood around the world. Initiatives that connect talent with mentorship and practical industry experience will remain important in helping creatives sharpen their skills, build sustainable careers, and contribute to a more competitive creative sector.
