By Ayo Arowojolu
The African creative industry is about to witness a ground-breaking moment as Mr Olamilekan Dauda Olawale, popularly called “Father of Creativity,” prepares to launch his highly anticipated book, How to Monetize Creativity in Africa.
The historic event is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Ikoyi, Lagos, bringing together powerhouses and role models across Africa’s creative and business sectors.
As the first book solely dedicated to African creativity and monetization, How to Monetize Creativity in Africa serves as a strategic roadmap for individuals seeking to transform their artistic talents and passion into profitable and sustainable ventures.
Drawing from over 14 years of experience in creative brand marketing, cinema exhibition, copywriting and business development, Olamilekan Dauda Olawale provides expert insights, industry-proven strategies, and real-world case studies tailored specifically for African creatives and realities.
Olamilekan, a seasoned startup developer, copywriter, digital strategist, three-time TEDx Speaker, and creative business mentor & coach, has successfully worked with over 100 companies, startups, and celebrities across Africa, the UK, Canada, and the USA.
Through his various brands, including Imagine Cinemas Ltd, Father of Creativity Ltd, and Creat Naija, he has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant creative community for emerging talents across the continent.
Olamilekan Dauda Olawale has managed marketing and creative activation projects for international brands such as MTN, Nestlé, Itel, Coca-Cola, Sterling Bank, Oracle Cloud, Pepsi, Airtel, UBA, Mavin Records, and YouTube, among others.
His passion for creative empowerment continues to shape the future of Africa’s creative industry.
Speaking about the inspiration behind his book, he emphasized the urgent need for African creatives to shift from being under-paid talents to successful entrepreneurs.
Hear him: “Africa is home to an immense pool of creative potential, yet many struggle to turn their skills into financial success. This book is a call to action—a guide for African creatives to take control of their economic future and transform their passion into profit,”
The book covers crucial topics such as: Identifying and capitalizing on profitable niches within the African creative ecosystem, Developing a sustainable business model that aligns with one’s creative vision, Leveraging digital platforms and social media to reach a global audience, Understanding and protecting intellectual property rights in Africa, as well as Building strategic partnerships to maximize impact and earnings.
Beyond his work as an author and business strategist, Olamilekan is a recipient of several prestigious awards, including Africa’s Under 40 CEO Award and the Good Governance Ambassadors Award.
He is a certified member of the Forbes BLK Global Community, as well as the Chartered Institute of Mentoring and Coaching Nigeria (CIMCN) and the Music Business Academy for Africa.
His advocacy for creative education reform in Nigeria has been pivotal in the push for integrating creativity and innovation into school curriculums.
He firmly believes that creative education is the future of learning in Africa and continues to champion policies that support the development of young creative entrepreneurs.
The book launch is expected to be a landmark occasion, featuring keynote speeches from top industry leaders, panel discussions on the future of African creativity, and networking opportunities for creatives, business professionals, and investors.
The event promises to set a new standard for the creative industry and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
He said further: “How to Monetize Creativity in Africa is not just another imported manual filled with theories that crumble in the face of African realities. It is a book written by an African, for Africans—by someone’s who understands the frustrations of an artist who can’t afford studio time, the struggles of a filmmaker who fights for funding, and the dreams of a young designer sketching by candlelight because power is never guaranteed.
“This is not just a book; it is a revolution—a call for African creatives to stop waiting for permission from a world that doesn’t see them and instead build their own economy of talent, innovation, and wealth.”
