Kenya is setting its sights on a bold new frontier, its creative economy as a key driver for economic transformation, drawing inspiration from the United States’ thriving $1 trillion creative sector.

This renewed focus was the central theme of the US-Kenya Creative Economy Forum held on Thursday in Nairobi, where government officials, private sector leaders, creatives, and international investors convened to chart a new path for Kenya’s creative industries.

In his keynote address, Sports and Arts Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya described the creative sector as a “force for economic transformation,” underscoring the government’s ambition to double its GDP contribution from the current 5% to 10% in the medium term.

“The creative economy here in Kenya is no longer a free sector,” Mvurya declared. “It is a force for economic transformation and through this partnership, we seek to position Kenya not just as a consumer but as a leading exporter of world-class content and talent.”

The government, he added, is rolling out a comprehensive Creative Economy Master Plan that aligns with both Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Key legislative milestones include the fast-tracking of the Creative Economy Bill, which will establish a structured framework for monetisation, attract private sector financing, and offer tax incentives.

Equally pivotal is the finalisation of the Intellectual Property Bill, which aims to fortify copyright protections, streamline regulation, expand anti-piracy enforcement, and integrate digital rights management systems.

“The reforms are geared towards institutionalisation, organisation, increased funding for anti-piracy operations, stricter penalties for infringement, public awareness campaigns, and the integration of digital rights management systems,” said Mvurya.

Maxwell Okello, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce Kenya, highlighted the sector’s impressive performance, noting that it is growing 60% faster than traditional industries.

“The industry is growing 60 per cent faster than other sectors,” Okello said. “We are laying the groundwork for a creative economy that is, one, mainstream, two, investable, and three, scalable. One that turns potential into prosperity and talent into industry.”

Forum participants identified policy reform, creative infrastructure, and skills training as critical ingredients for turning Kenya into a regional hub for film, fashion, digital arts, and music.

American delegates expressed commitment to building long-term partnerships with their Kenyan counterparts in areas such as film production, sports innovation, digital content creation, and fashion design.

By leveraging the U.S. model of targeted public investment, intellectual property protection, and global market integration, Kenya hopes to energise its youthful population and unlock the full economic potential of its creative class.