Pan-African creative entrepreneur Julius Kyazze has called for greater investment in the businesses, infrastructure and skills that enable African creatives to thrive, arguing that the continent’s next opportunity lies not only in producing world-class talent but in building sustainable creative enterprises.
Speaking during an in-depth interview reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Kyazze said Africa possesses no shortage of creative talent but continues to face a shortage of businesses capable of developing, managing and scaling that talent across borders.
Kyazze, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Live54+ and co-founder of Swangz Avenue, said the continent must shift its attention towards strengthening creative infrastructure, professional management, skills development and regional collaboration if the creative economy is to realise its full economic potential.
“We do not have a lack of talent. We have a lack of enough people to build the business and the structures behind that talent,” he said.
He explained that Live54+ was established to bring together complementary creative businesses—including media, live experiences, talent management, content creation and marketing—under one integrated pan-African platform capable of serving brands, creators and audiences across multiple markets.
According to Kyazze, the long-term ambition is to help create an environment where African creatives can build successful careers within the continent without relying on international validation.
“Our ambition is to build an ecosystem where creatives can tour, collaborate and grow across Africa through strong local institutions and partnerships,” he noted.
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Kyazze credited his early years in dance for shaping his appreciation of discipline, teamwork, branding and the commercial value of creativity. He also cited formative experiences in Kenya, where exposure to established entertainment businesses broadened his understanding of how creative enterprises could be structured for long-term growth.
Looking ahead, Kyazze said his vision extends beyond growing companies. He hopes to contribute to an African creative economy capable of generating dignified employment at scale while preserving and amplifying African stories for global audiences.
About Julius Kyazze
Julius Kyazze is a Ugandan entrepreneur and business executive, serving as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Live54+ and co-founder of Swangz Avenue. Over nearly two decades, he has built businesses spanning music, media, events, talent development and marketing, with operations designed to serve creative industries across Africa.