Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
FRESH from moderating a session at the recently-held Music in Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES25) in South Africa, celebrated cultural consultant, and entrepreneur Usher Takudzwa Nyambi has been announced as one of the leading voices at Entertainment Week Africa (EWA) 2025, taking place from November 18 – 23, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Nyambi will represent Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, joining a lineup of cultural trailblazers shaping the future of Africa’s creative economy.
He will serve as moderator for a high-level panel exploring the synergy between fashion, beauty, and entertainment, alongside prominent figures including Groovy Mono, Bola Balogun, and Angel Obasi. The session will unpack how entertainment platforms are reshaping African fashion narratives, amplifying new voices, and creating cross-industry opportunities that transcend borders.
“I’m honoured to be invited to speak at Entertainment Week in Lagos. I take pride in representing Zimbabwe. My goal is to make sure Zimbabwe is represented in all the rooms that matter when it comes to culture. Grateful to Deola Art Alade for the opportunity,” said Nyambi.
“As an International Relations graduate from Africa University, I see this as a form of cultural diplomacy, building bridges and connecting Africa in the creative space. Culture is currency. The global creative industry is worth billions, and I’m excited to see more African names going global. Representation matters,” he added.
Nyambi’s participation underscores EWA’s 2025 theme, “Close the Gap,” which focuses on strengthening access, investment, and opportunity across Africa’s US$58.4 billion creative economy. The six-day summit will feature panels, film screenings, tech exhibitions, masterclasses, music camps, and deal rooms, drawing over 50 000 participants to Livespot Entertarium, a vibrant hub for innovation and cultural exchange.
According to Deola Art Alade, Founder of Livespot360 and Convener of EWA, “Entertainment Week Africa is where the brilliance, originality, and global influence of Africa’s creative industry come together. With one of the world’s youngest populations and a rising class of creators and entrepreneurs, Africa’s creative economy is entering a new era rooted in ownership, innovation, and long-term value creation.”
Darey Art Alade, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Livespot360, added, “EWA is evolving into the go-to destination for professionals and creatives seeking meaningful connections, unexpected experiences, and ideas that can help shape the world.”
Livespot360 recently announced the launch of EWA, a new identity of what was formerly Entertainment Week Lagos (EWL), now reimagined to reflect the pan-African ambition, global influence, and growing momentum of the continent’s creative economy.
The move marks a pivotal moment in Livespot360’s 10+ year journey of building systems, storytelling platforms, and access pipelines for creators across music, film, fashion, tech, and youth culture.
Evolving Africa’s leading multi-sector creative convergence, EWA has trained over two thousand young creatives, hosted more than 58 pop-ups, screened 153 short films, and convened over 53 000 attendees in its first three years.
New to this edition, EWA expands its programming across film, fashion, and tech while debuting a reimagined Deal Room. Formerly limited to entertainment-tech ventures, the Deal Room now features dedicated tracks for film and music founders and connects African entrepreneurs to a ₦25 million seed fund and Africa-focused investors.
For the first time, the Music and Film Content Market brings together buyers, sellers, and funders together – complete with daily screenings (creator-led and animation showcases) and clinics to help sellers polish their projects before investor meetings.
New programmes include Creators Day, spotlighting short-form content makers in talks and pitch sessions; a Creative Job Fair connecting emerging talent with employers; and a Music Camp of hands-on workshops, masterclasses, and mentor roundtables for artists, songwriters, and producers. The Film Hub also grows stronger in 2025, with an expanded slate of screenings, workshops, and director conversations, further strengthening EWA as a launchpad for arthouse film in Africa.
Nyambi boasts of an illustrious career spanning Africa, Europe, and America. A skilled storyteller, he has written and edited for top international platforms such as Rolling Stone Africa, Trace, BBC 1Xtra, OkayAfrica, Men’s Health, GQ, Hypebeast Africa, and Glamour South Africa, capturing stories from over 20 countries.
As a journalistic scribe, he has covered landmark cultural events including the Trace Awards, South African Fashion Week, NBA BAL Finals, Red Bull Symphonic, FNB Art Joburg, and Latitudes Art Fair.
Through Samora Central, Nyambi is driving conversations that position Africa at the centre of the global cultural dialogue. He is also a member of Forbes BLK, where he continues to advocate for the transformative power of storytelling, education, and youth development across the continent.
Beyond media, Nyambi’s early experience in international development including roles with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), shaped his passion for using culture as a bridge for diplomacy and sustainable growth.
EWA has been touted as one of the continent’s premier convergence of creators, innovators, and brands driving the evolution of Africa’s creative economy. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
