Why African Creative Talent Is the Most Underrated in the World

There is a version of this article that opens with statistics. Global creative industry numbers, projections, market sizes. But the truth of what is happening with African creative talent does not need a chart to explain it. You see it in the work.

The Visibility Problem

Talent without visibility is invisible. That sounds obvious, but it explains almost everything about why African creative talent is underrated. The platforms that control discovery in the creative world were not built for Africa.

The Network Problem

Creative work runs on relationships. Studios hire people they know, or people recommended by people they know. Opportunities circulate within existing circles. If you are inside the circle, you have access. If you are outside it, you are largely on your own.