Yvette Davis Gayle
Co-Founder & COO, Africa Creative Agency

Sector: Film, Television & Music
South Africa

Yvette’s work is helping redefine how African talent is discovered, developed and positioned for global success. As Co-Founder and COO of Africa Creative Agency, she is building an integrated entertainment company that spans talent management, publishing, recorded music, film, television and strategic brand partnerships, creating sustainable career pathways for African creatives. Drawing on nearly three decades of international industry experience, including senior leadership roles at Interscope Geffen A&M, Yvette is combining global expertise with an African-first vision that prioritises ownership, intellectual property and long-term value creation. Through initiatives including Africa Creative Publishing, Exodus Records and internationally recognised productions such as Fight Like a Girl, she is expanding opportunities for African artists and storytellers to compete on the world stage. By building businesses, developing talent and creating new commercial models, Yvette is helping shape a more connected, innovative and globally competitive future for Africa's creative industries.

Antos Stella
CEO: The Music Arena | Gallo Music & Content Connect Africa

Sector: Music
South Africa

Antos’ vision has helped shape the evolution of Africa's music industry for more than three decades. From becoming the first woman to lead South Africa's iconic Gallo Music to building Content Connect Africa into one of the continent's leading digital music distribution and rights businesses, she has consistently anticipated where the industry is heading and positioned African artists to thrive within it. Today, through The Music Arena, Gallo Music and Content Connect Africa, Antos is driving the future of artist development, digital distribution, publishing, licensing and global partnerships, ensuring African music reaches audiences worldwide while protecting creators' rights and unlocking new revenue opportunities. Her leadership has fostered collaborations with international partners, expanded opportunities for independent artists and embraced emerging technologies that are transforming the music business. Through innovation, strategic vision and an unwavering commitment to African talent, Antos continues to build the infrastructure that will power the next generation of the continent's creative economy.

Mo Abudu
Founder & CEO, EbonyLife Group

Sector: Film, Television & Media
Nigeria

Mo Abudu has transformed African entertainment into a globally recognised creative industry. As the Founder and CEO of the EbonyLife Group, she has built one of Africa's most influential media companies, pioneering original African film and television content while forging landmark partnerships with global studios including Netflix, Sony Pictures, BBC, Lionsgate and Westbrook Studios. Beyond producing internationally acclaimed stories, Mo is investing in the future of the industry through the EbonyLife Creative Academy, developing world-class filmmaking talent, and championing initiatives that expand financing, training and global market access for African creatives. Her leadership continues to redefine how African stories are developed, financed and distributed, while creating sustainable opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers and entrepreneurs. By combining innovation, strategic partnerships and an unwavering belief in the global value of African storytelling, Mo Abudu is building an entertainment ecosystem that will shape the continent's creative economy for decades to come.

Nice Githinji
Performing Artist & Creative Entrepreneur

Sector: Film & Television
Kenya

Nice’s work is helping build the infrastructure needed for Africa's creative industries to thrive. A performer, producer, director and creative entrepreneur, she is creating opportunities that extend far beyond her own career. Through The Talent Studio, she has equipped emerging performers with the skills, mentorship and industry connections needed to build sustainable careers, while BOMA Film Nights is cultivating new audiences for African cinema and strengthening Kenya's independent film ecosystem. As one of East and Central Africa's pioneering intimacy coordinators, Nice is introducing professional standards around consent, performer safety and ethical production practices, helping shape a more inclusive and sustainable screen industry. Her work bridges talent development, audience engagement, education and industry innovation, demonstrating that the future of African entertainment depends not only on creating exceptional content but on building the systems that enable creatives to succeed. Through bold leadership and a commitment to empowering others, Nice is helping define a stronger, more resilient future for African storytelling.

Ava Eagle Brown
Founder & CEO, Black River Film Festival

Sector: Film, Television & Digital Storytelling
United Kingdom/Jamica

Ava’s leadership is creating new opportunities for independent filmmakers across Africa, the Caribbean and the global diaspora. As the founder of the Black River Film Festival, she has built an internationally recognised platform that champions underrepresented voices while connecting emerging and established filmmakers with audiences, industry leaders and global markets. Through her work, Ava has strengthened creative and commercial links between Africa, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom, fostering collaboration, cultural exchange and cross-border partnerships that extend beyond the festival itself. Her commitment to independent cinema has created meaningful pathways for filmmakers to access international networks, co-production opportunities and industry visibility. By championing authentic storytelling and building sustainable creative ecosystems across multiple regions, Ava is helping reshape how African and diasporic stories are discovered, shared and celebrated on the global stage, establishing herself as a powerful force in the future of international cinema.

Tshepiso Chikapa-Phiri
Group CEO, Known Associates Group

Sector: Film & Television
South Africa

Tshepiso’s vision is transforming Africa's film and television industry from the ground up. As Group CEO of the Known Associates Group, she has built an integrated entertainment ecosystem spanning production, financing, servicing, distribution and the development of world-class film infrastructure, including the Cradle Film Studios. Through Known Associates Entertainment and the acquisition of Moonlighting Films, she has helped position South Africa as a leading destination for international productions while producing acclaimed local films and series including The Umbrella Men, Wild Is the Wind and uBettina Wethu. Her leadership has also supported major global productions such as The Woman King and Beast, strengthening Africa's reputation as a premium production hub. Beyond business, Tshepiso is a leading industry advocate, championing transformation, skills development and sustainable growth through organisations including the Independent Producers' Organisation, SASFED and the Durban FilmMart Institute. By building businesses, infrastructure and opportunities, she is helping shape the future of African screen entertainment.

Nambitha Ben-Mazwi
Actress, Entrepreneur & Media Personality

Sector: Film, Television & Digital Media
South Africa

Nambitha Ben-Mazwi is a culture shaper whose influence extends far beyond the screen. An award-winning actress, entrepreneur and founder of NambithaBM Media, she has built a career that combines global storytelling with purposeful advocacy, using entertainment as a platform for social impact. Through acclaimed performances in productions including Savage Beauty, Empini, Happiness Ever After, King Shaka and Black Mirror, she has helped elevate South African talent on the international stage while demonstrating the global appeal of African storytelling. Beyond acting, Nambitha is the founder of the #She Speaks movement, a women's empowerment initiative that creates safe spaces for conversations around confidence, identity and self-worth. As a business strategist, Global Citizen Ambassador and advocate for education and women's empowerment, she continues to champion African excellence across industries. By seamlessly blending creativity, entrepreneurship and social impact, Nambitha is redefining what it means to be a modern African entertainment leader and inspiring a new generation to lead with purpose.

Ninel Musson
Founder, Music Business Lab

Sector: Music
South Africa

Ninel Musson is a Future Maker whose work is transforming how African music professionals build sustainable careers. With extensive experience across artist management, music publishing and business development, she has helped shape the careers of some of South Africa's most influential artists, including AKA, Ami Faku and TRESOR. Today, through Music Business Lab, she is investing in the future of the industry by equipping artists, managers, songwriters and entrepreneurs with the commercial knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global music business. As the founder of Africa's first university-certified music publishing programme, she is demystifying rights, royalties, publishing and intellectual property while empowering creatives to build careers rooted in ownership and long-term value. Her commitment to developing female lyricists and expanding access to music business education is creating a more inclusive and commercially resilient industry. By combining education, innovation and industry expertise, Ninel is helping build the next generation of African music leaders and shaping a stronger future for the continent's creative economy.

Thabile Ngwato
Founder and CEO of Rapid Innovation Group

Sector: Television, Broadcasting & Media Technology
South Africa

Thabile Ngwato’s entrepreneurial vision is transforming the future of African broadcasting, media technology and content distribution. As Founder and CEO of Rapid Innovation Group, she is building innovative solutions that combine broadcasting, technology and digital content to create a more connected African media ecosystem. She made history as the first and youngest Black woman to co-own commercial television channels in Africa, co-founding Newzroom Afrika and Ray Content Hub. Her commitment to innovation continued with the launch of Bluestream Technologies, South Africa's only 100% Black woman-owned broadcast satellite uplink business, strengthening the continent's broadcast infrastructure and technological independence. By combining entrepreneurship, innovation and industry leadership, she is helping shape a more connected, competitive and globally influential future for African entertainment and broadcasting.

Louise Callcott-Stevens
Co-Founder & CEO, EarCandy

Sector: Film, Television & Entertainment Technology
South Africa

Louise is transforming how African audiences experience film and television. As the co-founder and CEO of EarCandy, Africa's leading content localisation company, she has pioneered the localisation of global and African content into more than 30 African mother-tongue languages, ensuring stories resonate authentically with audiences across the continent. By championing language as a driver of inclusion, cultural identity and commercial growth, Louise has helped redefine localisation from a technical service into a strategic pillar of the entertainment industry. Her work enables broadcasters, studios and streaming platforms to expand their reach while preserving the richness and diversity of African languages and cultures. An internationally recognised thought leader and advocate for African storytelling, Louise continues to shape the future of entertainment by proving that authentic localisation creates stronger audience engagement, unlocks new markets and gives millions of viewers the opportunity to experience stories in the language that matters most to them—their own.