Strathmore Business School /HANDOUT
Strathmore University Business School has partnered with the Burns Brothers from the US to establish the Creative Economy Africa Institute.
The institute seeks to create one million jobs by 2035 through education, research, and innovation.
Strathmore University in a statement, said the new institute aims to turn creative talent into sustainable businesses and employment opportunities, particularly in the younger generation.
According to Unesco, Africa’s creative sector could generate over $20 billion in annual revenue and create more than 20 million jobs.
“Yet despite Africa’s growing influence across music, film, fashion, sports, technology, media, gaming, tourism, and entertainment, the continent currently captures only a small fraction of the global creative economy,” the university said in a statement.
The university says creating cross-continental pathways between Africa and the US are essential to converting creative momentum into systems capable of generating jobs and long-term value.
This was discussed during a meeting attended by Dr Caesar Mwangi executive dean of Strathmore University Business School and Mike and John Burns, founding partners of the Burns Brothers.
Also in the partnership is the commencement of Creative Economy 101, a digital certification course which will start in Kenya before expanding across Africa.
“The course introduces creators, entrepreneurs, students, professionals, executives, policymakers, and innovators to the business, economics, and infrastructure shaping Africa’s creative industries,” the statement said.
Government initiatives, including the Creative Economy Support Bill and policies promoting the digital economy, have also sought to strengthen the sector, although industry stakeholders say more investment and training are still needed.
Strathmore said The Burns Brothers bring practitioner-led expertise in building platforms, designing ecosystem infrastructure, and creating cross-continental pathways that convert creative momentum into structured economic systems capable of generating scale, jobs, and long-term value.
“This partnership signals a clear and urgent message: Africa’s creative economy is not simply potential waiting to be realised, it is a powerful, investable engine of transformation.”
