The U.S. Embassy in Kenya and the American Chamber of Commerce Kenya (AmCham) are set to host the U.S.-Kenya Creative Economy Forum 2025 on June 5th at Emara Ole-Sereni in Nairobi. This landmark event aims to bring together industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and creative innovators to catalyze investment and strengthen U.S.-Kenya partnerships across creative industries in Kenya.
Under the theme “Powering the Future of the Creative Economy,” the forum will focus on unlocking positive expansion across the country’s creative sector, with particular emphasis on the film, music, and sports industries. The initiative comes at a pivotal time as Kenya’s creative content, talent, and brands attract global attention.
Marc Dillard, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kenya, highlighted the potential of this collaboration, stating, “My time in Kenya has shown me that this country has an amazing and energetic pool of creative young people. I am so excited to combine this energy with leading creative industries from the United States, where creativity helps propel our economy. From Hollywood movies to professional sports to world-leading music industry innovators, the potential for Kenyan and American creative economy partnership is boundless.”
Maxwell Okello, CEO of AmCham Kenya, echoed this sentiment, noting, “Kenya’s creative economy has tremendous untapped potential. This forum will provide a platform to showcase that potential while facilitating meaningful connections between U.S. businesses and Kenyan creative entrepreneurs.”
The creative economy in Kenya is a fast-growing sector, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. According to the Kenya Copyright Board, the creative sector generated KES 85.21 billion in 2013, representing 5.32% of the national GDP. Projections indicate that it could contribute up to 10% of the national GDP by the year 2025, contributing to job creation and sustainable livelihoods across the country.
The U.S.-Kenya Creative Economy Forum 2025 is not just a one-day event; it serves as a launchpad to drive continued U.S.-Kenya engagement, collaboration, and growth across creative industries. AmCham will lead a task force that will hold regular industry forums, trade missions, and projects focused on U.S.-Kenya partnership and market access. AmCham will be working with U.S. companies interested in Kenya’s creative economy and strengthening ties that benefit both countries.
Event Details:
- Date: June 5, 2025
- Time: 8:00 A.M. – 7:30 P.M.
- Venue: Emara Ole-Sereni, Nairobi
- Registration: Closes on May 16, 2025, at 5:00 P.M.
