By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Kenya’s Special Envoy on
Technology, Ambassador Philip Thigo, has called for greater economic
participation and productivity among Africa’s digital content creators,
highlighting the role of artificial intelligence (AI), data-driven insights and
digital skills in creating business opportunities and jobs.
Thigo made the remarks
during the Regional Media and Information Literacy Week 2026 in Nairobi, where
he engaged with young content creators and influencers from 14 African
countries under the theme “Digital Content Creators Play a Part: Driving Media
and Information Literacy in Africa.”
He said understanding data
and using it to better understand audiences, inform content strategies and
enable effective micro-targeting could help creators reach the right audiences,
build sustainable enterprises and unlock new possibilities.
“Africa has a large, young
and highly engaged online population. Harnessing social media skills, AI and
data-driven insights presents enormous opportunities for entrepreneurship, job
creation and new forms of value creation,” Thigo said.
He stressed the need to move
beyond content consumption and engagement towards productivity, ownership and
economic participation, while maintaining trust and information integrity.
The discussions focused on
how digital skills and the effective use of data can help young creators turn
their online activities into sustainable enterprises and contribute to economic
growth across the continent.
Thigo thanked UNESCO, Aga
Khan University and the other organisers and partners for bringing together
Africa’s young digital creators and influencers and advancing the conversation
on the continent’s creator economy.
