Following a successful first edition in 2024, Création Africa is back in 2025–2026 to scale up its impact in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi. This initiative continues to empower cultural and creative entrepreneurs through tailored incubation, mentorship, and coaching programmes, strengthening the region’s creative economy.
About Création Africa
Launched in 2023 by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Création Africa is a pioneering $1.32 million initiative. initiative dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative industries. The programme is led by the Embassy of France and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), with strong collaboration from partners such as UVU Africa and Bpifrance. During its first cycle, the programme received over 700 applications, ultimately selecting 40 creative and cultural enterprises for mentorship. Among them, 12 initiatives advanced into five-week incubation and immersion programmes, gaining access to critical resources and networks.
2025–2026 Programme Structure
The new programme will run from November 2025 to October 2026, supporting entrepreneurs at multiple stages of development:
- November 2025 – Selection Phase: 50 cultural entrepreneurs chosen to join the programme.
- February–March 2026 – Coaching Phase: Hands-on guidance and tailored support for all selected entrepreneurs.
- April–October 2026 – Incubation Phase: 15 cultural entrepreneurs will advance into an intensive incubation programme to scale their innovations.
Call for Incubators
As part of this new edition, Création Africa is seeking an incubator—or a consortium of entities—to design and deliver the incubation and coaching programme. The selected partner(s) will play a pivotal role in training, coaching, and supporting the chosen entrepreneurs on their innovation and growth journeys.
Selection Timeline
- 7 August 2025 – Launch of call for incubator proposals
- 7 September 2025 – Submission deadline
- 9–16 September 2025 – Review of applications
- 22 September 2025 – Interviews with shortlisted incubators
- 13 October 2025 – Contract signing and start of missions
With its second edition, Création Africa 2025–2026 reaffirms its mission to bridge global expertise and local creativity, driving growth and innovation in Southern Africa’s cultural and creative industries. By engaging incubators, mentors, and entrepreneurs, the programme is set to deepen its long-term impact across South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi.