Mensah-Bonsu: Sports, live entertainment catalysing Africa’s renaissance

The creative industry in Africa is rapidly becoming a key player in the continent's economic growth trajectory. In a recent chat with CNBC Africa, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, the Founder and CEO of Sankofa Seven LLC, emphasized the crucial role that sports and live entertainment are playing in catalyzing Africa’s renaissance, shedding light on the significance of infrastructure development. Mensah-Bonsu underscored the importance of Africa's creative industry leveraging the global ecosystem to secure a larger share of the development pie in the coming decades. He highlighted the transformative impact that amplifying the cultural sector can have on individual lives, families, and entire nations. Mensah-Bonsu emphasized how traditionally, sectors like sports and entertainment were not taken seriously, often considered as frivolous pursuits. He shared personal experiences of how these sectors have positively impacted his life, family, and homeland, Ghana. He stressed the need to debunk the myth that success in the creative industry lacks a clear trajectory, making it a less appealing career choice for many aspiring individuals. However, he commended the intentionality of institutions like Afrexin Bank for championing and investing in the creative space, setting an example for other organizations to follow suit. Mensah-Bonsu pointed out that Afrexin Bank's commitment to amplifying the cultural sector would have a ripple effect, encouraging more significant entities to recognize the economic potential of the creative industry. In the conversation, Mensah-Bonsu also brought attention to the nuanced nature of the creative sectors, emphasizing the need for diverse players who understand the intricacies of these fields to drive development impact effectively. Reflecting on his journey as an African athlete, he highlighted the influence and power that sports personalities like George Weah, Dikembe Mutombo, and Luol Deng wield in impacting millions of lives globally. He pointed out the inspirational role these athletes play for young aspiring individuals, underscoring the importance of having role models to emulate in the creative space. During the interview, Mensah-Bonsu shared his personal insights on the responsibility that comes with success, drawing from his experiences and learnings from esteemed athletes like Dikembe Mutombo. He emphasized the principle of giving back to society and sharing blessings to truly manifest one's success. Mensah-Bonsu concluded the conversation by expressing his biggest takeaway from the Canex event, highlighting the shift in perception of once niche hobbies to mainstream economic drivers on the continent and globally. He commended the efforts of Afrexin Bank and Canex in elevating cultural sectors and expressed optimism that the world would increasingly recognize the economic potential of Africa's vibrant creative industry.