The creative economy contributes just over 6.1 per cent to global gross domestic product, which is an average of 2-7 per cent of national GDP worldwide.
According to United Nations estimates, creative economy industries generate over $2 trillion in annual revenue and account for nearly 50 million jobs worldwide.
Africa's creative industries represent a powerful tool that could increase the GDP of African countries and lift the continent's youth out of poverty.
Creative industries have the power to accelerate intra-African trade, create millions of jobs for the continent's young population and support the emergence of national and regional value chains.
The creative economy in Kenya is seen as a growing sector for economic growth and development.
In 2007-2009, the creative economy in Kenya was worth approximately Sh85 billion, or 5.3 per cent of GDP. This is significant regardless of the challenges facing the sector.
With appropriate institutional, policy and regulatory reforms among other reforms related to the private sector, the government believes that creative industries in Kenya could become a key catalyst for economic growth and development.
In light of this, the Kenya Film Classification Board earlier this week published a Public Notice on MyGov publication (August 23), on Redefining the Role of Film Agents in Kenya, inviting stakeholders and members of the public to submit their inputs and comments.
The public consultation document has been uploaded to the KFCB website for reference.
To create an enabling environment for the youth to harness the opportunities in the local creative economy, KFCB has resolved to redefine the role of film agents in Kenya to confine the agents’ role to providing international standard services to foreign film and television producers.
While addressing the press on Tuesday, August 23, in Nairobi offices, the KFCB Ag CEO Christopher Wambua said the stakeholders have until September 13, to give their feedback/comments on the proposed guidelines and play their role in creating a facilitative regulatory environment for the creative sector.
Should the proposal be adopted by the industry and other stakeholders, effective October 1, film agents will concentrate solely on providing logistical support to foreign film and television producers.
In March, the board issued a new content rating guideline, which it says is aimed at facilitating an enabling regulatory environment for creators, broadcasters, and creatives.
The guidelines seek to involve broadcasters and online streaming services in the examination and rating of audiovisual content meant to be broadcast, distributed, and exhibited on the platforms.
Under the board’s proposed framework, broadcasters will examine and rate 70 per cent of the content they air on the platforms, as opposed to the current situation where KFCB is required to examine and classify 100 per cent of all audiovisual content meant for consumption in Kenya.
It’s undoubtedly that this will boost the creative industry since the local filmmakers and producers will have the advantage of obtaining licences directly from the board without necessarily going through the film agents.
Communications and Public Relations Specialist
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
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