Nigerian creative-tech advocate Sheye Banks has called for wider adoption of emerging technologies across Africa’s creative industries, highlighting their potential to amplify African voices on the global stage. Speaking at the Africa Blockchain Festival 2025 in Kigali, Banks emphasized that tools like blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) are crucial for elevating creativity and opening new avenues for exposure.
During a panel on the future of innovation in the creative economy, Banks described technology as a “global microphone” for African creators. He urged both artists and institutions to view these tools not as threats to cultural identity, but as catalysts that make African stories louder, clearer, and impossible to ignore in the global arena.
Banks pointed out that technology offers unique advantages, including stronger intellectual property protection, broader distribution channels, and opportunities for international recognition without compromising authenticity. “AI, blockchain, technology should amplify our voice while keeping our identity intact. To compete globally, we must use these tools for ownership, innovation, and access,” he said.
Through his Lagos-based incubator, Hevy Hub, Banks is actively bridging the gap for young creatives who lack access to resources such as modern tools, mentorship, and technical training. The hub nurtures “hybrid creatives”—artists skilled in both artistry and digital innovation—a combination Banks believes is essential for Africa’s creative economy to thrive.
Industry experts in Kigali noted that Hevy Hub’s approach could serve as a scalable model for talent development across Africa. With creativity being Africa’s strongest export, Banks stressed that intentional support, digital literacy, and tech adoption are vital for positioning the continent as a global leader in creative-tech innovation.
source: The Guardian