At the African Forward Fest (AFF) 2026, we spoke about strengthening Kenya’s creative industry under the Creative Economy Bill 2026 with
@janetmachuka_ and MC Ndungi, coordinated by
@ekitabu and
@KPC hosted by
@alliancefrancaise .
Nairobi holds an incredible amount of artistic talent and originality with strong international potential. What the industry needs now is stronger infrastructure around that talent: curatorial integrity, professionalism, artist development, transparency, and long-term investment.
Collectors increasingly value provenance, documentation, quality presentation, and consistency. The future of the art market should not only revolve around events, but around cultural relevance, artistic integrity, and sustainable ecosystems that support artists beyond the spotlight.
At Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands, I work with artists through long-term collaboration and storytelling. Artists are not treated as short-term contributors, but as creative partners. Through curation, visibility, networking, and professional presentation, we aim to create meaningful platforms that connect art with people, spaces, and purpose.
One of the biggest challenges in Kenya remains the gap between artistic talent and professional infrastructure. Many artists still lack support in pricing, contracts, archiving, logistics, and representation. This is why stronger mentorship, transparent systems, collector education, and collaborations between institutions, corporates, and communities are essential.
Looking ahead, I believe the future lies in building bridges: between artists and collectors, between creativity and business, between hospitality, design, public space, and social impact. Contemporary African art deserves thoughtful visibility on both local and international platforms.
Creativity is not only cultural capital — it is also a powerful tool for economic and social transformation.
Photography: Brian Umaka
#AfricanForwardFest #TheArtOfConnection #SocialImpact #AfricanCreatives #hyattregencynairobiwestlands