East African Ministers Reach Historic Agreement to Boost Culture & Creative Industry

By Alex Masereka Joel

East African ministers responsible for arts and culture have reached what many are describing as an historic agreement to collaborate on the advancement of the region’s cultural and creative industries.

The decision follows a productive meeting held on Saturday, during the ongoing East Africa Arts and Cultural Festival in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.

Ministers of the participating countries during the deliberations on the agreement to boost arts

According to reports, the ministers have pledged their commitment to strengthening cooperation in promoting and developing East African art and culture.

They agreed to establish a framework for joint initiatives and projects aimed at facilitating the exchange of ideas, expertise, and best practices among member states.

On display are crafts, fabrics, and art pieces, showcasing the unique cultures and way of life of East African communities. PHOTO BY ALEX MASEREKA JOEL

The agreement seeks to bolster the region’s cultural sector, preserve cultural diversity, and enhance the visibility of East African heritage on the global stage. As part of this initiative, a working document will be released in the coming weeks, outlining key areas of collaboration. These include; the preservation of heritage sites, promotion of cultural tourism, and support for creative industries such as music, film, literature, and visual arts.

The document will serve as a strategic guide for cultural stakeholders, providing a roadmap for implementing the ministers’ commitments. By promoting regional integration and cooperation, the leaders hope to unlock the full potential of East Africa’s creative economy, drive economic growth, and provide more opportunities for artists and cultural entrepreneurs.

Ethiopia’s team performs the Eskesta at the festival. PHOTO BY ALEX MASEREKA JOEL

Participating countries include Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kenya.

South Sudan is among countries participating in the festival. PHOTO BY ALEX MASEREKA JOEL

Uganda is represented by a delegation led Hon Grace Hellen Asamo, the State Minister for Disability Affairs under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. She took part in the meeting that drew the blueprint to support arts in the region.

The East Africa Arts and Cultural Festival is underway in Addis Ababa, bringing together countries from the region to celebrate their rich heritage. PHOTO BY ALEX MASEREKA JOEL

Officials have assured stakeholders of continuous updates on the progress of this initiative and have called for active engagement from cultural institutions, artists, and the wider public.