Création Africa is an initiative of The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS). The programme continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening creative entrepreneurship across the region, supporting ventures with the potential to scale sustainably while contributing to economic growth and cultural impact, says the programme.

From the  340 applications, a jury panel of industry experts selected The Top 50 entrepreneurs, who took part in a 7-week mentorship phase. Following a final round of pitches, the Top 15 finalists were selected.  

In addition to this, 67% of the Top 15 are women, which speaks to the important role women play in the cultural and creative economy in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, adds the awards.

The finalists include businesses that are revitalising traditional African craftsmanship, building internationally recognised gaming studios, growing contemporary African fashion brands, and creating new opportunities across Africa's publishing and music industries. Collectively, the entrepreneurs represent South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, with businesses tackling youth employment, digital innovation, sustainability and cultural preservation through creative enterprise. 

From Incubation to Market Readiness

The Top 15 entrepreneurs are currently completing a seven-month tailored incubation programme designed to strengthen their business models, refine their value propositions and prepare them for investment readiness. This phase, which runs until October 2026, includes access to investor networks, strategic guidance, sector expertise and funding readiness support, all aimed at enabling these ventures to scale and compete in both local and global markets, says the programme.

The programme is delivered in partnership with implementation partner UVU Africa, who oversees incubation programme with the oversight of Team France. Création Africa is delivered through CAPACITI, UVU Africa's digital skills and enterprise development platform, working directly with creative founders to build enterprise readiness and translate creative potential into sustainable ventures.

Meet the Top 15 Entrepreneurs

According to the programme, the following entrepreneurs have been selected to advance to the incubation phase of Création Africa 2:

Design and Craft

  • Pinda Furniture and Interior Design (Siyanda Mbele)
  • Neimil (Pty) Ltd (Keneilwe Mothoa and co-founder Lubabalo Mxalisa)
  • Emotives Africa (Xolela Madlanga), and
  • Akhada Baskets (Tisungane Thomson).

Fashion

  • SWANK JOZI (Lindelani Nedoboni)
  • Thethana (Nkotseng Moleko)
  • GUGUBYGUGU PTY LTD (Gugu Peteni)
  • LEO SZN (Kirsten Leo), and
  • House of Xandria (Xandria  Kawanga).

Gaming and Interactive Media

  • Vetkoek Studios (Mamello Raboroko and Co-Founder Eric Gardiner).

Film, Television and Animation

  • Lincoln Green Media (Kudakwashe ‘Kudi’ Maradzika), and
  • Better Yet (Hallie Haller).

Music

  • Music Business Lab (Ninel Musson).

Digital Media

  • iQHAWE Media (Renaé Mangena and Anastatia Nkhuna).

Publishing

  • Bridge Books (Griffin Shea).

A Continued Commitment to Creative Entrepreneurship

"Congratulations to the Création Africa Top 15 nominees, for this second edition of the Création Africa programme. The external jury had a strong Top 50 candidates to select from, which is a vivid testimony of the strength of creative ventures and of the dynamism of cultural and creative entrepreneurs across South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi," says Mr Benjamin Cabouat, Deputy Head of Mission, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi. 

"We extend special recognition to the Top 15 as they enter the incubation phase of the programme, advancing from development to execution with opportunities to scale up their activities and benefit from dedicated mentorship." 

This next phase of the programme reinforces France's ongoing commitment to cultural cooperation and economic development through the creative industries. By supporting entrepreneurship in the arts and culture sector, Création Africa positions creativity as a key pillar of sustainable growth and international collaboration. As the Top 15 entrepreneurs continue their incubation journey, the focus shifts from development to execution, enabling these businesses to unlock new markets, secure investment and scale their operations, adds the programme.

"The Top 15 founders have displayed the resilience, adaptability and leadership needed to navigate the realities of business ownership. Their work not only impacts their local communities, but is driving the creative economy forward," concludes Chanél Oldfield, Chief Executive of CAPACITI. "We are proud to continue supporting them as they sharpen their strategies, strengthen their ventures and turn creative ambition into sustainable businesses that create jobs, shape culture and contribute to inclusive economic growth."  

For more information, visit www.creationafrica.com.

*Image courtesy of www.frenchinstitute.org.za