#GCS2025
Executive Summary
About
The Global Creative Summit is where the world’s creative pulse meets Africa’s cultural power.
This is more than a gathering — it’s a passport to possibilities. A space where artists, innovators, brands, and storytellers come together to shape the future of the global creative economy.
Here, creativity meets strategy, and ideas meet impact. Attendees will tangibly connect with leading creatives, media houses, and cultural strategists driving influence and innovation across the continent.
Join us to exchange ideas, build lasting partnerships, and amplify your reach and voice — because the future of creativity begins here.
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While the GCS is not yet an oAicial G20 cultural platform, it is strategically designed to align with the G20’s development agenda, mirroring its rotational legacy to ensure the creative sector is never left out of the global economic conversation. Once a new G20 host country is announced, the GCS will initiate structured collaboration with that nation’s creative industries to ensure continuity, legacy, and cross-border impact.
Visa to the World
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The theme captures the spirit of cultural mobility, borderless opportunity, and Africa’s rightful place in shaping global narratives. It also reflects an urgent mission: to break down barriers that limit African creative participation on the world stage, and to build strong international networks that position cultural and creative industries (CCIs) as engines of innovation, diplomacy, and sustainable growth.
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Globally, CCIs contribute an estimated 3% to GDP and employ over 30 million people— yet Africa’s immense potential remains underrepresented. The GCS is designed to change this by delivering tangible outcomes in:
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• Market access and trade facilitation
• Intellectual property protection
• Policy alignment and visa mobility for creatives
• Digital transformation and skills development
• International investment into African creative sectors
Key Industry Pillars
The GCS will focus on five high-growth sectors across Africa and G20 countries:
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Music – Leveraging Africa’s influence in genres like Amapiano, Afrobeats, and Gqom to explore international collaborations, streaming economy models, and heritage preservation.
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Film & Television – Strengthening African storytelling through cross-border coproductions, infrastructure investment, and global distribution partnerships.
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Fashion & Design – Showcasing African innovation and sustainability while advancing youth entrepreneurship and circular economy practices.
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Gaming & Digital Arts – Harnessing Africa’s youthful, tech savvy population to drive innovation in gaming, animation, VR/AR, and education technologies.
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Publishing & Literature – Supporting indigenous languages, freedom of expression, and new publishing models in the digital age.
Tourism & Economic Impact
As a flagship cultural tourism event, the GCS isexpected to:
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Attract over 1,000 international delegates from more than 25 countries
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Generate significant economic activity for Gauteng and South Africa, including hospitality, retail, and transport sectors
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Position Johannesburg and South Africa as a global cultural capital and gateway to the African creative economy
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Strengthen South Africa’s reputation for hosting world-class events that blend business, creativity, and tourism
By anchoring the Summit in Sandton—Africa’s business hub—the event will boost local
tourism, create jobs, and foster long-term partnerships that benefit the region beyond
the three-day programme.
