ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a better understanding of creative and cultural industries (CCI) as an ecosystem in Africa and the design and implementation of frameworks, tools, policies and partnerships to address current funding needs and gaps sustainably. It presents a reflection on the current opportunities and challenges of finance for CCIs in Africa from the perspective of businesses, mentors, investors and third-party providers across several countries and sectors. The very nature of CCIs and the associated ecosystem lies at the heart of any impactful and sustainable financing intervention. CCIs are fundamentally about the people that inhabit this ecosystem. Space plays different roles in the financing equation. For investors and providers, space supports funding allocation and the identification of promising projects and investment targets. Effective data on trade, including current and future trends and risks, is a key element in decision-making. A common experience amongst stakeholders was the link between accessing finance and their understanding of the overall financing ecosystem.
