Creative
Bellafricana Global Marketplace Launched to Champion African Creativity
Today, Bellafricana, a trailblazer in championing African creativity, is proud to announce the soft launch of its Bellafricana Global Marketplace on January 25, 2025 showcasing unique products in fashion, beauty, art, and lifestyle. This pivotal milestone is the culmination of years of dedication, innovation, and a relentless commitment to connecting Africa’s incredible talents to a global audience.
Bellafricana began its journey with a bold vision: to provide a platform where small, independent African creative businesses could shine. Founded in 2014 by Bukky Asehinde, the platform was born out of her personal struggle to access authentic African products while living abroad. By 2016, Bellafricana evolved beyond eCommerce to become a supportive community for creative entrepreneurs.
A Legacy of Impact and Milestones
From its inception in Nigeria to its expansion into the UK, Bellafricana has been at the forefront of celebrating African creativity. The organization has hosted three successful African Creative Exhibitions and Awards (ACE Awards), which honored excellence in African craftsmanship. It has also curated impactful pop-up markets on Oxford Street London and launched The African Lifestyle Experience (TALES), an immersive event showcasing the best of African culture, fashion, beauty, and art.
In 2019, Bellafricana launched its first marketplace in Nigeria, fulfilling over 1,000 product orders and proving the immense potential of African creatives. However, the journey wasn’t without challenges. To better position itself for global impact, the platform temporarily paused operations to reimagine its future. Today, Bellafricana stands ready to connect African creatives with a global audience through its UK-based platform.
The Bellafricana Global Marketplace – A Collective Leap of Faith
The new UK based online marketplace is a celebration of African creativity and entrepreneurship. Launching with 9 founding brands:
- Accessory-Ville: Bold, elegant handcrafted beaded bags.
- Ethnik Afrika: Reimagining traditional Yoruba textiles, one weave at a time.
- Modara Naturals: Luxurious skincare made from Africa’s finest ingredients.
- Ako Africa: Afrocentric designs celebrating fashion, art, and culture.
- Simeogieme: Vibrant, artistic pieces for the bold and confident woman.
- Mojisola Style: Fashion that highlights indigenous African fabrics.
- Àílàkókò: Timeless, eco-conscious handmade accessories.
- OkNolla: Artistic creations inspired by ancient African symbols.
- Massassi B: Ready-to-wear pieces infused with African culture and sustainability.
The platform will feature an array of high-quality, handcrafted products across fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and more. Each item tells a unique story, woven with tradition, innovation, and the spirit of its creator. These pioneering brands are stepping forward with courage and conviction, embodying the resilience and creativity that Bellafricana stands for.
“As we prepare for this launch, I reflect on how far we’ve come,” says Bukky Asehinde, Founder of Bellafricana. From fulfilling orders locally in Nigeria to creating a platform that invites the world to experience the magic of African craftsmanship, this journey has been one of faith, learning, and perseverance. This is more than a marketplace, it’s a movement to change the narrative about African products and their creators. We’re here to empower micro and small African creative businesses, providing them with visibility, tools, and opportunities to thrive on a global stage. This marketplace is more than a platform; it’s a home for dreamers, makers, and believers.”
What to Expect
The Bellafricana Global Marketplace offers:
- A curated collection of high-quality African-made products, meticulously crafted by independent brands.
- Global access, starting from the UK and Europe, with plans to expand worldwide.
- A platform rooted in storytelling, connecting customers with the rich heritage behind each product.
Shoppers can expect a seamless experience backed by transparent policies on shipping, returns, and fair trade practices. Vendors, in turn, will benefit from resources like SEO optimization, social media marketing, and access to a broader customer base.
What Sets Bellafricana Apart
Bellafricana is not just about selling products; it’s about creating a meaningful connection between creators and consumers. The platform is built on the values of:
- Authenticity: Each product is carefully curated to ensure it reflects the true essence of African culture.
- Sustainability: Many of the products are made from eco-friendly materials, promoting fair trade and sustainable practices.
- Community: Bellafricana fosters a sense of belonging, bringing creators and customers together to celebrate African heritage.
- Exclusivity: The marketplace features limited-edition pieces, ensuring every purchase is a unique treasure.
Opening the Door to the World – Join the Movement
Bellafricana invites the public to join this incredible journey. The soft launch is not just an unveiling but a celebration of courage, creativity, and the boundless potential of African talent.
Today, January 25, 2025, Bellafricana will take the first step in transforming the global e-commerce landscape by making African craftsmanship more accessible than ever.
For more information, visit www.bellafricana.co.uk. By shopping on Bellafricana.co.uk, customers directly support African creatives, helping to uplift communities and preserve cultural heritage. The soft launch on January 25th marks the beginning of a global movement to amplify African creativity.
For more information about the marketplace and to explore its offerings, visit Bellafricana
Follow us on social media @Bellafricanauk @bellafricanamarketplace for updates and exclusive sneak peeks.
From today, 02 October 2025, Disney+ customers in South Africa have access to both ESPN and ESPN 2 linear channels, bringing the greatest sporting moments from US and International sporting leagues to the existing vast content library on the platform.
At no extra cost, fans will be able to schedule appointments with thrilling matchups, unmissable moments and heart-pounding programming from the two channels. The action is already underway, with the football season kicking off with no less than six leagues, including the English Football League (EFL), Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), the Dutch Eredivisie, the German Football Association Cup (German DFB Pokal), the Saudi Pro League and the SüperLig from Turkey.
American Football fans will welcome the start of the NFL (National Football League) and NCAA NCAA Football and Basketball (National Collegiate Athletic Association) matchups this month too, with the NBA (National Basketball Association) tipoffs from October. Followers of internation al rugby leagues can look forward to the commencement of the US’s Major Rugby, as well as the Japanese Rugby Leagues.
Kyle de Klerk, Director: Sports for The Walt Disney Company Africa: “We are excited to be adding the ESPN Africa linear channels to Disney+ today, offering South African customers more value through ESPN’s award-winning documentaries, breaking sports news, and, of course, fixtures from the most popular and exciting sporting leagues from the United States and around the world. This addition complements the vast library of must-stream TV series and blockbuster movies such as FX’s “Alien: Earth,” the fifth season of “Only Murders in the Building” and Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch”.”
The ESPN linear channels add to The Walt Disney Company’s more than 100 years of unparalleled storytelling and characters on Disney+, including the latest and greatest from Disney’s iconic brands and franchises – Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic – as well as the expansive general entertainment offering that features content from Hulu, FX, Searchlight Pictures, 20th Century Studios and more.
Disney+ customers can also stream celebrated and unmissable TV series and movies such as “The Simpsons,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” FX’s “The Bear,” “Modern Family,” “The Kardashians,” “Andor,” “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” “Criminal Minds,” Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Moana 2”.
All Disney+ Premium and Mobile plan customers with an 18+ content rating in South Africa will have access to the linear channels. Disney+ enables parents and caregivers to limit access to content for specific profiles based on content ratings, and the ability to add a PIN to lock profiles with access to mature content.
In addition to Disney+ in South Africa, ESPN is available on MultiChoice’s DStv and StarTimes across Africa.
Creative
Access Holdings and Coronation Group Unite to Champion Landmark Nigerian Art Exhibition at Tate Modern
Access Holdings and Coronation Group, under the leadership of Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede CFR, are proud to announce their joint support of Nigerian Modernism, the first major UK exhibition to trace the trajectory of modern art in Nigeria. Opening at Tate Modern in London this October, the exhibition brings together over 250 works from more than 50 artists, spotlighting Nigeria’s extraordinary artistic legacy from the 1940s to the turn of the century. This uniquely curated exhibition places Nigeria’s creative legacy firmly at the centre of global art history.
For the two financial institutions, this partnership represents more than corporate patronage. It is a strategic investment in cultural restoration and identity. By actively supporting Nigerian Modernism, Access Holdings and Coronation Group reaffirm their belief that Africa’s future will be shaped not only by innovation in boardrooms and markets, but by imagination in studios, classrooms and museums.
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede CFR, Chairman of both institutions and a Member of Tate Modern’s International Council, brings a deeply personal commitment to this cause as one of Africa’s foremost patrons of the arts.
“The modernist movement in Nigeria tells a story not just of art, but of the cultural awakening of a people who, even in times of transition and turmoil, used creativity to assert dignity above circumstance and retain their authentic cultural identity,” he said.
This commitment reflects Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede’s philanthropic vision to build enduring African institutions. For him, culture is not separate from progress, rather central to it.
He explains that through this partnership with Tate, Access Holdings and Coronation Group are helping to democratise access to African art, ensuring it is seen, studied and celebrated by the world.
“This is how we inspire the next generation. Not just of artists, but of Africans who know that our stories matter and their voices are heard throughout history. I believe we all carry a sacred duty to protect and share our cultural legacy. The stories told by the artworks are living testaments to our ingenuity and global contribution as Africans in the modern world,” he said.
Tate Modern Director, Karin Hindsbo, said “This landmark exhibition is a powerful celebration of the artists who shaped a powerful vision of African Modernism. It brings long-overdue international attention to their work and tells a visual story of cultural innovation and exchange. We’re thrilled to be presenting this show at Tate Modern and to share the richness of Nigeria’s artistic legacy with audiences here in the UK and around the world.”
Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede calls Nigerians everywhere, whether at home or part of the country’s vast and vibrant diaspora, to celebrate Nigerian Modernism as a cultural homecoming and a catalyst for conversations that challenge outdated narratives.
“The power of art transcends borders, connecting hearts and minds to inspire and drive change. This exhibition reminds us to reconnect with our roots and invites the world to see us through our own lens: rich, diverse and unapologetically African,” said Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede.
Creative
Canon Central & North Africa Provides a Global Stage for Regional Content Creators at Canon Vision 2025 in Amsterdam
Canon Central & North Africa (CCNA) brought together ten regional content creators from Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania to participate in Canon Vision 2025 in Amsterdam. These creators, spanning genres such as tech, lifestyle, fashion, documentary, travel, film, wildlife and wedding photography, joined more than 100 peers from across Europe and the Middle East. The event provided them with hands-on production opportunities, networking, and collaborative learning experiences, showcasing Canon’s commitment to nurturing talent and empowering storytellers.
Canon Vision 2025, hosted by Canon Europe, marked a groundbreaking initiative to connect with the global creator community. Canon is investing in the future of creativity recognising influencers as key drivers of brand engagement and consumer trust. This initiative reflects our commitment to evolving with social media dynamics, where short-form video content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels dominates audience attention.
Unfreeze – Breaking Conventions
The event was hosted under the theme #Unfreeze, a call to break away from traditional conventions, explore motion, and unlock new creative possibilities. This marked a significant shift in Canon’s journey toward becoming a motion-first brand that embodies a creator-first mindset, aligning with how audiences interact with content today.
Creators explored Canon’s newest vlogging cameras, the PowerShot V1 and EOS R50V, designed specifically for creating content. The PowerShot V1 provides a compact and easy-to-use option for capturing quick videos and telling travel stories. Featuring a flip screen and built-in stabilisation, it ensures effortless, steady filming even when capturing content on the move. The EOS R50V provides more advanced features. With 4K video, interchangeable lenses, and fast autofocus, it delivers high-quality footage and flexibility.
The program also featured workshops and masterclasses, including specialized Shooting Like a Pro sessions on advanced storytelling techniques, emerging trends, and industry best practices. The agenda combined creativity with collaboration, offering group content challenges with prizes, a gala dinner for networking, and visits to Amsterdam’s innovative NXT Museum for immersive exhibitions and content-making opportunities.
Industry Leadership at IBC 2025
As part of the wider experience, participants also attended IBC 2025, where Canon showcased its professional video imaging ecosystem and multi-cam solutions. The company unveiled its new EOS C50, a highly versatile, full-frame, RF-mount hybrid Cinema EOS camera for professional videographers and agile production crew. With this new launch, Canon reinforces its commitment to making professional-grade technology accessible to creators of all levels.
“At Canon, our driving strategy revolves around ICE- Innovation, Customer, and Employee Experience. Canon Vision 2025 is a perfect example of how we are elevating customer experience by creating meaningful platforms for creators, who are not just our customers but also the voice of future generations of customers. By empowering influencers and content creators with high-quality tools, we enable them to tell authentic stories that inspire their audiences. This event underlines our commitment to placing the creative community at the heart of our journey, ensuring they have both the technology and the inspiration to thrive.” said Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director, Canon Central & North Africa
Empowering the Next Generation of Creators
For Canon Central & North Africa, engaging with influencers and creators has always been a core pillar. From ongoing campaigns such as “#CelebrateAfrica”, “Generation R”, “Loved by Creators”, and “Go Cinematic”, to initiatives like Canon Vision 2025, Canon continues to build long-term relationships with the creative community. This event serves as another milestone in the brand’s mission to support storytellers, enabling them to expand their craft and redefine what is possible with Canon technology.
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