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CRÉATION AFRICA 2, ENTREPRENEUR MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

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LSJ Clothing and Merchandise, Butan Clothing, Création Africa 1 Alumnus, Image: Supplied 

The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of France and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) are proud to announce the return of Création Africa. Création Africa aims to boost and support cultural entrepreneurship in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi.  

Création Africa is a programme which takes a holistic approach, that combines mentorship, incubation, training, funding and networking to support cultural entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey, with a focus on entrepreneurs who are ready to take their business to the next level through dedicated mentorship and investment.

Entrepreneurs, over the age of 18, within the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI), resident in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi are invited to apply to participate in an intensive mentorship programme starting in February 2026. From the applications, 50 entrepreneurs will be selected to take part in a 7-week intensive mentorship programme, which aims to equip them with tools, guidance, and expertise necessary to refine their business models.

After the 7-week intensive mentorship, applicants will have the opportunity to pitch their project ideas to a jury for the opportunity to be selected as part of the Top 15 entrepreneurs. The successful Top 15 will be taken through a 6-month project Incubation Phase from April to early October 2026. During this time each selected project will receive customised support including, access to networks, investors, mentorship, strategic guidance and substantial financial support to scale up their business.

JOIN A WEBINAR!

MONDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2025, 13:00-14:00 (SAST)   
CRÉATION AFRICA 2, ENTREPRENEUR MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

Are you an entrepreneur over 18 working in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) in South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi? Join the upcoming webinar to learn more about the open call to join the Création Africa programme launching in February 2026!

This session will unpack the how to apply and the structure of the 7-week programme, covering personalised mentorship, business development workshops, expert guidance, and networking opportunities. You will also learn about the next phase, where participants will pitch their projects to a jury for a chance to join the Top 15 entrepreneurs. These selected entrepreneurs will advance to a 6-month incubation phase (April–October 2026), receiving tailored support, investor access, strategic guidance, and substantial financial backing to scale their businesses.

Création Africa, funded by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and implemented by the Embassy of France, and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), aims to boost and support cultural entrepreneurship across South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi. UVU Africa has been selected as the incubator implementing the programme.

Don’t miss this chance to engage! Join the webinar to learn more and ask your questions live about the Call for Entrepreneurs.

Webinar Details:
Monday, 24 November, 13:00-14:00 (SAST)

Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 386 921 129 218 57
Passcode: Ts9aD3UC

Click here to join the meeting

Read the detailed application guidelines on the IFAS website: https://tinyurl.com/CallForEntrepreneurs

Ambassador of France to South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, H.E. Mr David Martinon shared, “Création Africa empowers creative entrepreneurs from South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi to grow, innovate and collaborate. Through this program, deployed in several African countries, France supports cultural and creative industries as they contribute to sustainable growth and job creation.”

The Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) cover a broad spectrum of sectors that contribute to cultural expression and economic growth. These include visual and performing arts; film and television; craft and design; architecture; fashion; digital media; gaming; animation; cultural heritage; as well as creative and cultural promotional spaces.


Thebe Magugu Designs, Création Africa 1 Alumnus, Photo credit: Aart Verrips

Création Africa aims to support a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem for cultural entrepreneurship in Africa by collaborating with local and international incubators and businesses, institutions and partners. Création Africa will operate under the oversight of Team France in South Africa, ensuring effective governance and strategic guidance.  

For this project, the South African incubator UVU Africa, has been selected to implement and oversee both the mentoring phase and the incubation program. With over 25 years of experience in scaling up startups, they bring valuable expertise to the initiative. 

Watch a video about what the first twelve finalists had to say about Creation Africa: https://www.youtube.com/@IFAS_TV/playlists.

Read the detailed application guidelines on the IFAS website: https://tinyurl.com/CallForEntrepreneurs 

 Applications close on Sunday, 7 December 2025, at 23:59.

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