Nigeria’s creative industry, encompassing film, music, fashion, arts, and digital media, is projected to grow to US$13.6 billion by 2028, according to a new sectoral outlook released this week. The report underscores the creative economy’s expanding role as a key driver of national growth, job creation, and global influence.
The study, published by Arise Intelligence in partnership with PwC Africa, attributes the growth to rising investment in digital infrastructure, increasing global demand for Nollywood films and Afrobeats music, and the rapid expansion of online streaming platforms. The report identifies the industry as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing non-oil sectors, expected to contribute nearly 3 percent of the country’s GDP within three years.
According to the findings, the film and music industries will remain the major revenue earners, accounting for more than half of total sectoral output. Nigeria’s fashion, design, gaming, and content-creation sub-sectors are also projected to experience exponential growth, driven by youth innovation, social-media monetisation, and international collaborations.
Industry experts say this projection reflects a global shift in perception of African creativity and culture. “Nigeria has become the continent’s creative capital,” said entertainment economist Kemi Onabanjo, noting that platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Spotify have significantly boosted the visibility and export of Nigerian content. “From Lagos to London, Afrobeats and Nollywood now shape conversations about Africa’s future economy.”
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The report also emphasised the need for policy support to sustain the momentum, urging the government to strengthen copyright laws, expand financing mechanisms, and improve access to creative education and technology hubs. Analysts highlighted the Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI) and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group’s (NESG) Creative Economy Roadmap as critical frameworks for achieving this growth target.
Despite the optimistic forecast, challenges such as piracy, inadequate infrastructure, and funding gaps remain significant hurdles. The study recommends increased private-sector participation and public-private partnerships to build the necessary ecosystem for sustainable growth.
With an estimated 34 million Nigerians under the age of 35 actively involved in various creative pursuits, the report concludes that the industry has the potential to become one of Africa’s largest exports. If the current trajectory continues, experts believe Nigeria’s creative economy could rival traditional sectors like oil and agriculture in revenue generation by the end of the decade.