Applications are now open for the 2025 Création Africa Initiative. After a successful first edition in 2024, Création Africa is back to support and scale up cultural entrepreneurs in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi. Supported by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of France, and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), the second edition of Création Africa aims to boost and support cultural entrepreneurship in these three countries.
Création Africa is a program that takes a holistic approach, combining mentorship, incubation, training, funding, and networking to support cultural entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey, with a focus on those who are ready to take their business to the next level through dedicated mentorship and investment.
The Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) comprise a wide range of sectors that drive both cultural and economic growth, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Visual and Performing Arts: Painting, sculpture, photography, and other visual arts; theatre, dance, circus, and live performances.
- Music: Composition, production, performance, and distribution of music.
- Film and Television: Production, direction, distribution, and related audiovisual services.
- Design and Craft: Graphic design, industrial design, and artisanal crafts.
- Fashion: Apparel, accessories, and related industries.
- Animation, Gaming, and Interactive Media: Animation, video games, software, and immersive or interactive experiences.
- Digital Media: Digital content creation, online platforms, and social media production.
- Creative and Cultural Promotion Spaces: Festivals, events, creative hubs, and community spaces that support, present, or promote artists and creative industries.
- Publishing: Books, magazines, newspapers, and other print or digital publications.
- Architecture: Architectural design, urban planning, and related services.
- Cultural Heritage: Museums, archives, preservation, restoration, and heritage management.
Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be over 18 years old.
- Be a resident of South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi.
- Manage and/or run their business as the owner (entrepreneur).
- Have an existing business that is registered within South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi.
- Be available and committed for the full duration of the mentorship and incubation programs, including taking any necessary time off from their business obligations.
You must be available for these dates:
- Presentation by the shortlisted applicants to the Jury: 19 to 23 January 2026
- Announcement of selected 50 entrepreneurs: 26 to 29 January 2026
- Intensive mentorship program: 2 February to 20 March 2026
- Pitch sessions: End March 2026
- Incubation program: 6 April to 9 October 2026
- Immersion program: Between October and November 2026
Should you have any queries, email: projectofficer.faec@frenchinstitute.org.za.