Pan-African creative entrepreneur Julius Kyazze has called for increased investment in creative businesses, infrastructure and skills development, arguing that Africa’s next major opportunity lies not only in producing world-class talent but also in building sustainable enterprises capable of growing that talent.
Speaking during an in-depth interview reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Kyazze said Africa has no shortage of creativity but lacks enough businesses and structures to develop, manage and scale creative talent across borders.
Kyazze, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Live54+ and co-founder of Swangz Avenue, said the continent must focus on strengthening creative infrastructure, professional management, skills development and regional collaboration if the creative economy is to achieve its full economic potential.
“We do not have a lack of talent. We have a lack of enough people to build the business and the structures behind that talent,” Kyazze said.
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He explained that Live54+ was established to bring together complementary creative businesses, including media, live experiences, talent management, content creation and marketing, under one integrated pan-African platform designed to serve brands, creators and audiences across multiple markets.
Kyazze said the long-term goal is to create an ecosystem where African creatives can build sustainable careers within the continent without depending solely on international recognition.
“Our ambition is to build an ecosystem where creatives can tour, collaborate and grow across Africa through strong local institutions and partnerships,” he said.
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Kyazze credited his early involvement in dance with shaping his understanding of discipline, teamwork, branding and the commercial value of creativity.
He also highlighted his experiences in Kenya, where exposure to established entertainment businesses helped broaden his understanding of how creative enterprises can be structured for long-term growth.
Looking ahead, Kyazze said his vision goes beyond building individual companies. He wants to contribute to an African creative economy capable of generating dignified employment at scale while preserving and amplifying African stories for global audiences.