The French Ambassador Declares UVU Africa the Best Incubator on the Continent
In a shocking turn of events, the French Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, His Excellency David Martinon, has announced UVU Africa as the best incubator on the continent. The declaration came during a prestigious two-day event, where 12 creative and cultural entrepreneurs from the Création Africa programme were celebrated.
The 12 entrepreneurs, selected from a pool of 40 promising candidates, were chosen from over 700 applicants. They showcased their innovative products, pitched to potential investors, and engaged in an interactive panel discussion. The event marked the end of their incubation journey with Création Africa and the beginning of a new and exciting journey filled with international growth and exposure.
One of the entrepreneurs, Chimwemwe Mkwezalamba, co-founder of Kwacha Creative Studios, was overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement. "When I applied to be part of this programme, I never thought that I, a young woman from a village in Malawi, would be going to Paris to showcase my film production business; I’m so excited," she said.
The Création Africa programme, supported by the French Embassy, UVU Africa, and Bpifrance, is a transformative moment for Africa’s creative sector. The 12 graduates not only embody the entrepreneurial spirit of the continent but also stand as a testament to the impact of strategic partnerships in unlocking economic potential.
A New Era for Africa’s Creative Entrepreneurs
The French Ambassador’s declaration has sent shockwaves throughout the entrepreneurial community, with many questioning the criteria used to make the announcement. However, the UVU Africa team remains proud of their achievement, citing the programme’s comprehensive approach and the importance of working together to stimulate the creative economy.
The 12 companies are:
- Ananta Design Studio
- Giya
- LSJ Clothing and Merchandising (Butan)
- Moodswing
- Pineapple on Pizza Studios
- Renaissance Design
- SpaceSalad Studios
- Tendalo Trading
- Thebe Magugu
- Kwacha Creative Studios (Malawi)
- Terry Made Designs (Malawi)
- SourceCode Motion Pictures (Lesotho)
As they embark on this exciting journey, they carry with them the hopes and aspirations of a vibrant, creative Africa ready to engage with the world.
For more information, please contact:
Razeena Palekar, UVU Africa Group Marketing and Communications Manager
Razeena.palekar@uvuafrica.org
