Although precise definitions for the creative industries are by definition complex, the creative industries are generally recognised as contributing up to 4% of global GDP and 5% of Kenyan GDP, a share that continues to expand, as societies become wealthier, and patterns of consumption of creative products and services change. Not only do the creative industries play a unique role in defining how societies see themselves and in building cultural cohesion, but they can also be an important source of jobs and export earnings. UNCTAD defines creative industries as “cycles of creation, production and distribution of goods and services that use creativity and intellectual capital as primary inputs; constitute a set of knowledge-based activities, focused on but not limited to arts, potentially generating revenues from trade and intellectual property rights; comprise tangible products and intangible intellectual or artistic services with creative content, economic value and market objectives; are at the cross-road among the artisan, services and industrial sectors; and constitute a new dynamic sector in the world trade”.
Definitions of the “creative industries’’ vary according to different sources, and often extend to include elements of the media and ICT sectors, including
publishing, animation, and gaming sub-sectors. A number of trends in Kenya are driving the growth of the creative ecosystem, impacting the entire value chain for creative goods. Kenya’s digitally native and young population are the key driver of the growth being experienced by its creative and innovation ecosystem. The creative and innovation ecosystem has undergone a positive transformation, supported by various private sector players, as well as the active involvement of the Government of Kenya to foster creativity and entrepreneurship, evidenced through programs such as the Ajira Digital Program.
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