Programme

08:00 AM – 09:00 AM

Registration and Accreditation of participants

09:00 AM – 09:30 AM

Opening session Programme Director: Mr. Samuel Agyeman, Communications Unit, AfCFTA Secretariat - Introduction and Welcome Message by AfCFTA Secretariat - Message by Africa Tourism Partners - Message by Black Star Experience Speakers: - Ms. Emily Mburu-Ndoria - Director of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights & Digital Trade (DTIID), AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana - Mr. Kwakye Donkor - Chief Executive Officer, Africa Tourism Partners, South Africa - Mr. Rex Owusu Marfo - Coordinator, Black Star Experience, Ghana

09:35 AM – 10:00 AM

SESSION 1 · Masterclass on Film Scene Setting Presentation: Boosting Africa’s film production through the AfCFTA – from audio-visual services to live-events (MICE, tourism and conferencing services), recreational services, artist mobility, carnet schemes/customs, and the evolving policy and regulatory landscape. Speaker: Mr. Fela Oke – Founder & CEO, Hyphen8 Media Partners, Nigeria

10:00 AM – 10:25 AM

Presentation 1: Deep dive into the business of Africa’s film industry – film trade, infrastructure, cross-border production, content development, financing vehicles, and digital streaming & distribution opportunities. Speaker: Mr. Joel 'Kachi Benson – Award-winning Documentary Filmmaker / VR Creator, Nigeria

10:25 AM – 10:50 AM

Presentation 2: Spotlight on Intellectual Property Rights – harnessing IPR for African creative and cultural industries commercialisation. Speaker: Ms. Maureen Esther Fondo – Head, Copyright and Related Rights, ARIPO, Zimbabwe

10:50 AM – 11:20 AM

Questions and Answers Programme Director: Mr. Emmanuel Sarpong, Film Producers Association of Ghana

11:20 AM – 11:35 AM

Networking Tea Break

11:40 AM – 12:05 PM

SESSION 2 · Masterclass on Fashion Scene Setting Presentation: Fashioning intra-African trade – growing from emerging to industry power players, exploiting cross-border trade in garments, and strategies for market access within the AfCFTA framework. Speaker: Ms. Makeba Boateng – Fashion Designer & Founder, Fashion Forum Africa, Ghana

12:05 PM – 12:30 PM

Presentation 1: Shaping tomorrow’s fashion industry in Africa – examining commercial viability and the interconnectedness of African fashion, cultural heritage, film, music, and tourism value chains. Speaker: Ms. Koketso Chiepe – Fashion Designer, Botswana

12:30 PM – 12:50 PM

Presentation 2: AfCFTA – the gateway to business growth and pathways through a unified and diversified market for Africa’s fashion industry. Speaker: Ms. Daphine Lekipaika – Trade in Services Expert, AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana

12:50 PM – 13:20 PM

Questions and Answers Programme Director: Ms. Briggette Harrington – CEO, Igire & AfCFTA Trading Company, Rwanda

13:20 PM – 14:30 PM

Networking Lunch

14:30 PM – 14:55 PM

SESSION 3 · Masterclass on Music Scene Setting Presentation: AfCFTA – an unexplored unified and larger market for digital distribution and cross-border collaboration for Africa’s music industry. Speaker: Ms. Khadijat El-Alawa – Head of Music & Talent, AfroFuture, Ghana

14:55 PM – 15:15 PM

Presentation 1: The value of digital platforms – strategic pathways for global reach, brand equity, and commercialisation. Speaker: Mr. Ruddy Kwakye – CEO, Republic of Amusement, Ghana

15:15 PM – 15:40 PM

Questions and Answers Programme Director: Ms. Huguette Umutoni – Creative Economy & Global Partnerships Leader, Rwanda

15:40 PM – 16:05 PM

SESSION 4 · Masterclass on Fintech Revolution & Financial Inclusion Scene Setting Presentation: Fintech revolution – new revenue streams and transparent payments for the African creatives ecosystem. Speaker: Mr. Owureku Asare – Director, Fintech and Innovation, Bank of Ghana

16:05 PM – 16:25 PM

Presentation 1: Financial inclusion – supporting accessible finance for Africa’s creative economy. Speaker: Mr. John Sande – Chief Operating Officer, Mediakits.io, Kenya

16:25 PM – 16:45 PM

Presentation 2: Digital payments – delivering innovative digital financial services to unlock the global creative economy. Speaker: Ms. Mariam K. A-Buahin – Chief Operating Officer, Akuna Group

16:45 PM – 17:15 PM

Questions and Answers Programme Director: Mr. Francis Doku – West Africa Director, Africa Tourism Partners

17:30 PM – 17:40 PM

Concluding Remarks Speaker: Mr. Rex Owusu Marfo – Coordinator, Black Star Experience, Office of the Presidency, Ghana

17:40 PM – 17:55 PM

Call-to-Action and Way Forward Speaker: Ms. Emily Mburu-Ndoria – Director, DTIID, AfCFTA Secretariat

17:55 PM – 19:30 PM

Accra By Night