The Burns Brothers, Strathmore launch Creative Economy 101 to empower African creators

The Burns Brothers, in partnership with Strathmore University Business School, have launched Creative Economy 101, a new online programme aimed at equipping African creators with business skills while advancing an ambitious goal of creating one million jobs across the continent's creative economy by 2035.

The self-paced programme, delivered through the recently established Creative Economy Africa Institute, consists of seven modules covering entrepreneurship, intellectual property, finance, business growth and the broader creative economy ecosystem.

Participants will pay Ksh.8,500 for the Strathmore University Business School-certified course, which is available through creativeeconomy101.com.

According to the founders, the programme seeks to address a major challenge facing Africa's creative industries, where abundant talent often lacks the business knowledge, professional networks and practical tools needed to build sustainable careers and enterprises.

Speaking during the launch, Mike Burns, President and Founding Partner of The Burns Brothers, described Creative Economy 101 as the first step towards unlocking the full economic potential of Africa's creative industries.

"Africa's greatest export over the coming decades will be its creativity, culture, innovation, intellectual property, and human potential," Burns said, adding that the programme is the first of several initiatives planned under the Creative Economy Africa Institute to help creators build sustainable businesses and generate long-term economic value.

The launch comes as African music, film, fashion, gaming and digital content continue gaining international recognition, even as much of the sector's economic value remains untapped.

The organisers cited UNESCO estimates showing that Africa's cultural and creative industries could generate more than US$20 billion annually and create over 20 million jobs, but noted that achieving this will require stronger institutions, improved access to knowledge and financing, and closer collaboration between industry, academia and policymakers.

Strathmore University Business School Executive Dean Dr. Caesar Mwangi said the partnership combines academic excellence with industry expertise to nurture leaders and strengthen the continent's creative ecosystem.

"The creative economy is one of Africa's most significant untapped economic opportunities," Mwangi said, adding that the institute would help generate knowledge and develop leaders capable of building a more competitive and inclusive creative economy across Africa.

Kenya's Ambassador to Belgium and former Information and Communication Permanent Secretary Prof. Bitange Ndemo also backed the initiative, saying Africa's creative economy has the potential to become a major driver of economic growth, innovation and employment if supported through appropriate policies, institutions and investment.

Ndemo said initiatives such as the Creative Economy Africa Institute and Creative Economy 101 would help build the ecosystem needed to position Africa as a global leader in creativity and innovation.

The programme also received support from the education and financial sectors.

Nova Pioneer East Africa Managing Director Dr. London Moore said schools must strengthen links with industry to prepare learners for emerging opportunities, while NCBA announced it will sponsor ten creators through its Elev8 programme to participate in the inaugural Creative Economy 101 cohort.

"The future of work is evolving faster than ever before, and education must evolve alongside it. At the basic education level, schools cannot afford to operate in isolation from industry. Initiatives such as Creative Economy 101 demonstrate the importance of creating stronger connections between education and industry to prepare learners not just for jobs, but for the opportunities and industries of the future," said Dr. Moore, who is also Head of Strategy Africa, The Burns Brothers.

NCBA Group Director of Marketing, Communications and Citizenship Nelly Wainaina said supporting creators is an investment in entrepreneurship and Africa's broader economic growth, noting that the sponsorship will help participants access the skills, knowledge and networks needed to grow sustainable creative businesses.

The Creative Economy Africa Institute, established by The Burns Brothers and Strathmore University Business School, aims to strengthen Africa's creative economy through education, research, entrepreneurship, innovation and policy engagement, with the long-term ambition of helping create one million jobs across the continent by 2035.