The U.S. government is collaborating with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) to remove barriers hindering the growth of the creative industry and ensure its global reach. Ramin Toloui, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for business and economic affairs, emphasized the need to bring African creativity to a broader global market.
Speaking at a fireside chat moderated by Somachi Chris-Asoluka, TEF CEO, in Lagos, Toloui highlighted the global impact of Nigerian film production, citing Netflix’s “The Black Book,” which ranked in the top 10 English-language films globally for five weeks. The collaboration aims to eliminate impediments and broaden the audience for African creativity.
Toloui shared insights into his career journey and discussed key global economic issues at the session attended by young startup founders, including U.S. government exchange program alumni and TEF program participants. He expressed excitement about hearing the stories of individual entrepreneurs and emphasized the importance of asking for help, being persistent, and holding onto innovative ideas.
The U.S. government’s partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation seeks to amplify the reach of African creativity and foster collaborations between artists across continents, showcasing the global potential of talent emerging from Africa.
