The 25 African Creatives To Follow In 2025: Part 3
AFI Insider
The world’s gaze is firmly on Africa, thanks to the youthful energy on the continent, which is a sign of major untapped potential.
With a young population driving innovation, the growth prospects are immense—particularly in the creative sector, where talent in film, fashion, art, music, and entertainment is making global headlines.
The creative industry is slowly proving to be a powerful contributor to the GDP of African nations.
Valued at approximately $58.4 billion, Africa’s creative economy represents 2.9% of the global creative market, according to the UNDP. While this figure may seem modest, the potential for expansion is there.
A report by Adams & Adams estimates the industry currently generates $4.2 billion annually. It is also projected that by 2030, Africa will account for 10% of global creative exports, valued at $200 billion, while creating over 20 million new jobs.
In an era where creativity and culture converge to reshape global narratives, a new generation of African visionaries is emerging.
From fashion and film to media and sustainability, these innovators are rewriting the rules and perceptions, telling stories that showcase Africa's creative industries and captivating audiences with their unique voices and compelling stories.
We have compiled a list of 25 must-follow creatives from across the continent.
We published Part 1 and Part 2 of the series here. These are the next group of individuals doing their part in redefining African creativity in 2025.
Zizipho Poswa
Award-winning South African ceramicist Zizipho Poswa has played a major role in redefining contemporary African sculpture. Her ceramic pieces are a tribute to African womanhood, drawing inspiration from Xhosa rituals and ancestral traditions.
Poswa’s artistry brilliantly captures the intersection of heritage and modernity, reflecting the power and grace of African femininity.
Her solo exhibitions in Cape Town, Los Angeles, and New York have solidified her status as a global creative force, with her work housed in prestigious collections such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, LACMA, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Linda Sumbu
A formidable voice in the global fashion discourse online, South Africa’s Linda Sumbu has become an influential figure in the High Fashion Twitter (X) community, where her expert analyses attract a dedicated audience of over 168,000 followers.
As a digital fashion critic, she has covered New York Fashion Week and other major global style events, offering nuanced perspectives on fashion’s evolving landscape. Beyond her sartorial expertise, Sumbu holds a master’s degree in Game Design and is a staunch advocate for integrating high fashion into gaming.
She envisions a future where digital fashion experiences rival real-world couture, championing new frontiers at the intersection of gaming, metaverse fashion, and AI-driven design.
Kabelo Kungwane
Kabelo Kungwane is one of South Africa’s best creative minds, bridging the worlds of things he loves- football, fashion, and storytelling. As the founder and creative director of Kasi Flavour10, he has built a platform that celebrates the unique intersection of South African football culture and design.
A founding member of The Sartists collective, Kungwane challenges conventional perceptions of Black identity through fashion, photography, and cultural narratives.
His collaborations with Adidas, Levi’s, and other global brands have redefined streetwear, incorporating elements of township football heritage into modern aesthetics.
Kungwane’s work pays homage to the golden era of South African football, reimagining it through a stylish and contemporary lens.
Sophy Tankou
Cameroonian actress, media personality, and event host Sophy Tankou known as Sophy Aiida, is a commanding presence on both stage and screen. Her acting career includes performances in "Unwanted Guest" and "Isabelle," but it is her skills as a host that has made her a household name.
Aiida, who hosted AFI’s AFU Fundraising Fashion Show in Abidjan, has graced the stage of some of Africa’s most prestigious events, including the African Union/European Union Summit, the CAF Awards, and the Afrima Awards, sharing the spotlight with industry heavyweights such as Akon and Pearl Thusi.
With a career that spans Europe, and Africa, Aiida’s ability to bridge cultures through entertainment makes her one of the most sought-after hosts on the continent.
Emmanuel Ekuban
Ghanaian creative director and fashion entrepreneur popularly known as Nuel Bans, is a force. As the founder of Debonair Afrik, a fashion and lifestyle publication championing the African creative industry, he has transformed the platform into a leading voice in African fashion journalism and brand storytelling.
Since its inception in 2015, Debonair Afrik has grown into a global fashion hub, shooting editorials for major African fashion brands and hosting exclusive industry events across global fashion capitals.
The platform’s Visionaries Fashioning Africa event, held annually during Paris Fashion Week and recently expanded to New York Fashion Week, is a celebration of the visionaries driving African fashion forward.
Natasha W. Muhanji
A rising literary voice and poet from Kenya, Natasha W. Muhanji’s work delves into the human condition with striking depth.
Her storytelling—spanning fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry—has been featured in The Kalahari Review, WSA-K Magazine, Synergy Collective, WhoWhatWhere Kenya, and the Qwani Anthology.
As the winner of the 2023 East Africa Sondeka Awards Short Stories Prize, Muhanji continues to push the boundaries of African literature.
Her narratives often explore themes of identity, migration, and memory, weaving African folklore into contemporary storytelling.
When not crafting her next piece, she immerses herself in the world of gaming, a passion that subtly informs her narratives with intricate world-building and layered characters.
Part 4