Creativity Can Add 20% To Nigeria’s GDP, Says Filmmaker

Founder of Nate Genius Films & Media, Nathaniel Ogwuche, has called for greater investment in Africa’s creative sector, describing creativity as a powerful engine for economic transformation across the continent.

Nate made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during his welcome address at the Genius Creators Summit 2025, which also marked the tenth anniversary of his production company.
Themed “AI and the Future of Content in Africa’s Creative Economy,” the summit gathered filmmakers, content creators, and technology experts to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping storytelling, design, and digital production.

“Creativity is not just a hobby; it’s an industry, and not just an industry, it’s the future of Africa’s economy,” Nate said.

According to him, although Nigeria’s GDP is about $472 billion, less than three per cent comes from the creative and digital sectors. “Imagine if we turned that three per cent into fifteen or twenty,” he said. “If we built policies, infrastructure, and funding to match the talent we already have, creativity could become one of the top drivers of our GDP.”

He urged the government, private investors, and development partners to provide creative professionals with the infrastructure and funding they need to thrive.

“It’s about merging art with technology and creating a future where Africa’s creators aren’t left behind, but leading the charge,” he explained.

Nate also announced the launch of the AI Career Accelerator Program, a six-month initiative designed to train 1,000 young Nigerians in storytelling, production, editing, and generative AI-driven creativity.