The Chocolate City Creators Fund is a $1,000,000 initiative designed to support and empower young creative entrepreneurs in the African creative sector, with a keen focus on women empowerment. The fund will support music, film, gaming, and content creation. 

Nigeria currently boasts the youngest population in the world with a median age of 18.1 and approximately  70% of people under the age of 30 while people who are 15 and below make up 42% the population. Women make up 49% of the population. 

The creative industries represent a significant opportunities for these young people to find gainful employment through dignified jobs and entrepreneurship.  According to reports the sector already provides 4.2 million jobs today. This is clearly inadequate. Furthermore, despite the fact that women make up a significant portion of the workforce in Nigeria’s and indeed Africa’s creative industries, inclusion for women is still a challenge. 

At Chocolate City we see this as a lost opportunity and have designed our fund to address this. 50% of the fund will be earmarked exclusively for women.

Although comprehensive statistics are lacking, it’s clear that women are vital contributors to Africa’s creative economy. Efforts to support women creatives and entrepreneurs, such as through training, mentorship, and access to finance, can help unlock their full potential in driving inclusive growth in these dynamic sectors. This can be done without excluding men as well , the objective is to create an inclusive program.

Education and Training

Provide targeted education and skill-building programs for young people especially women and girls, focusing on areas like digital skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Partner with schools and universities to promote creative careers.

Access to Finance

Improve  access to funding and investment opportunities, such as through targeted grants, loans, and venture capital funds. Provide financial literacy training and support.

Workplace Policies

Encourage creative businesses and organizations to adopt gender-responsive policies and practices, such as flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and anti-discrimination measures.

Collaboration & Partnerships

Foster collaboration between women creatives, businesses, and organizations, both within and across countries. Engage with international partners to share best practices and resources.

Policy & Advocacy

Engage with policymakers and government agencies to promote policies and programs that support women’s participation in the creative industries, such as tax incentives, intellectual property protections, and gender-responsive budgeting.

Establish mentorship programs that connect experienced professionals  in the creative industries with emerging talent. Support professional networks and associations for women creatives.

Visibility & Representation

Showcase the work and achievements of  youths  in the creative industries through exhibitions, festivals, and media coverage. Promote diversity and inclusivity in the portrayal of women in creative content.

Addressing Gender Stereotypes

Challenge and dismantle gender stereotypes that limit women’s participation in certain creative fields, such as the notion that technology and certain art forms are male-dominated domains.

Research & Data

Support research to better understand the barriers and opportunities for women and other young people in the creative industries and collect gender-disaggregated data to track progress and inform policymaking.

Celebrating Successes

Recognize and celebrate  achievements of young  creators in the creative industries through awards, publications, and other forms of public acknowledgement. This can help inspire and motivate the next generation of women creatives