In Lagos, a young filmmaker dreams of telling stories that can travel beyond Nigeria's borders. In Kinshasa, a fashion designer is sketching styles that blend African tradition with modern flair. In Nairobi, a game developer is coding a mobile app inspired by African heritage.
What they all have in common is this: their creativity holds economic power, but for years, borders, limited capital, and lack of business support kept that power locked away.
This is where HEVA Fund comes in as a game-changer to drive this integration and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Building the Creative Muscle
Think of HEVA as a bridge between ideas and success.
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They provide money (but smarter than a loan).
- Instead of giving the same old difficult bank loans, HEVA offers special financial products designed for creatives, like paying suppliers on your behalf, giving you credit to finish an order, or letting you own equipment through “lease-to-own” programs.
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They build capacity.
- HEVA doesn’t just throw money and walk away. They run workshops, strategy labs, and training programs so that creatives understand how to run a business, market their products, and protect their intellectual property.
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They create opportunities.
- By linking creatives to international markets, investors, and partners, HEVA helps small ideas become big movements.
Why Does This Matter?
Across Africa, the creative sector is full of talent but often lacks support. A musician might have the voice but no equipment. A filmmaker might have the story but no camera. A crafts maker might have the designs but no access to buyers abroad.
HEVA steps in to close that gap. By 2024, they had already invested over $10 million, supported more than 100 businesses, and touched the lives of 10,000+ creatives across 14 African countries.
AfCFTA: Opening the Playing Field
Now, imagine this: AfCFTA is tearing down trade barriers and creating the world’s largest free trade area, connecting 1.4 billion Africans. For the creative sector, this means:
- A Congolese designer can sell her clothes more easily in Ghana without crippling tariffs.
- A Nigerian musician can collaborate with a Kenyan producer and distribute across Africa with smoother copyright frameworks.
- A South African animation studio can access bigger markets in Ivory Coast and Egypt.
AfCFTA is the highway; HEVA is helping creatives get the car ready to drive on it.
Real-Life Impact
One of their big programs, Sanara, launched in 2024 with partners like the Mastercard Foundation, aims to support over 110,000 young creatives. It focuses on women, refugees, and people with disabilities—groups that often get left behind. Through Sanara, they don’t just get skills and funding; they also gain safer workspaces and a stronger voice in shaping policies.
Another program, Ota, is like a safe space for women-led creative businesses. It helps them dream bigger, sharpen their strategies, and grow their enterprises with confidence.
