A pan-African public relations and marketing communications agency, Blanche Aigle Communications, has called for strategic partnerships in media, tech and storytelling.
The call was made at the second edition of its Media Roundtable Summit held at CentrePoint, Ikoyi, Lagos; the forum brought together a dynamic mix of policymakers, journalists, creatives, influencers, public relations experts, and investors.
The summit came at a time when Nigeria’s digital ad spend is projected to exceed $400 million this year, underscoring the urgent need to ensure African storytellers, media entrepreneurs, and content creators are not just visible, but equitably valued. The summit urged Africa’s media professionals, brand leaders, investors, and policymakers to invest, innovate, and collaboratively influence a new narrative.
Founder of Blanche Aigle Communications and convener of the summit, Nene Bejide, said the summit is the company’s commitment to building an inclusive, youth-driven, and economically viable media ecosystem that speaks with power and purpose.
“This year’s theme is not just aspirational, it’s urgent. We are living through a defining moment for African storytelling, where our platforms, people, and policies must align. This summit is our commitment to building an inclusive, youth-driven, and economically viable media ecosystem that speaks with power and purpose,” Bejide said.
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With the theme: “Africa’s Media Renaissance: Building a Thriving Industry at the Intersection of Storytelling, Business, and Technology,” the summit was conceived as a timely response to the growing demand for content innovation, sustainable growth, and increased investment within the continent’s evolving media-tech landscape. It served as a strategic platform to exchange bold ideas and collectively shape the future of the African creator economy.
The summit started with a thought-provoking keynote by renowned global media strategist and Founder of Soho Consulting International, James Hewes. With decades of experience shaping media transformation across continents, Hewes delivered a presentation on: “The Future of Media,” offering critical insights into how artificial intelligence (AI), data, and global narratives are rapidly converging to redefine the way stories are told, distributed, and experienced across the African continent and beyond. His keynote underscored the necessity for African media stakeholders to embrace digital disruption and position themselves at the forefront of global platform economies.
The event featured five powerful and perspective-shifting panel discussions, each designed to spotlight urgent challenges and emerging opportunities within Africa’s media, communications, and creative ecosystems.
The first panel: “Building a Global Audience: Strategies for African Media Companies,” was moderated by Damilare Akintunde, Founder of ShockNG, and featured a line-up including VWoke Ighure (PressReader), David Adeleke (Founder, Communique), Tolu Ogunlesi (Communications Consultant), Tayo Fagbule (Editor, BusinessDay), and Omotola Aderinsola Adebanjo (Editor, BBC). The panel explored how African media companies can tap into the global content economy, emphasizing the strategic use of digital tools, data analytics, and scalable storytelling.
Panelists discussed how local media brands can build cross-border audiences, particularly within the African diaspora, and adapt to changing audience consumption patterns fuelled by mobile-first platforms.
The second panel: “Public Relations in the Digital Era – Managing Reputations & Building Influence,” moderated by Tennie Oyewole, featured Oreoluwa Atinmo (Marketing Director, GBfoods Africa), Lynda Aguocha (Head of Advertising, Aspira Nigeria), and Oluremi Martins (CEO, Regirl World). The conversation focused on how modern-day PR must evolve to meet the demands of real-time reputation management, influencer-driven marketing, and the rise of user-generated content (UGC). Panelists emphasized the need for influencers to champion transparency, brand authenticity, and build strategic alliances globally to drive deeper audience engagement and trust.
The third panel: “The Music Business & Entertainment Ecosystem – Leveraging Media for Global Growth,” moderated by Temilola Balogun (TaymiB), Co-Founder of PICHR, featured Christel Kayibi (Director of strategy, Sony Music Africa) and Ifeyinwa Anyadiegwu (Head, Business & Legal, Chocolate City). This session explored how Africa’s music industry, particularly Afrobeats has, become a major cultural export and economic engine within the broader creative and creator economy. From global streaming deals to merchandising and brand partnerships, the discussion highlighted the intersection of music, media, fashion, and tourism, positioning the entertainment sector as a pillar of Africa’s soft power strategy.
The fourth panel: “Funding and Investment in Africa’s Creative Industry,” moderated by David Adeleke, gathered financial and policy thought leaders including Jide Sipe (Group Head Brand Transformation and Digital Banking Bank of Industry), Wale Ajiboye (Development Consultant)), Ugodre Obi-Chukwu (Founder, Nairametrics), and Oludayo Adeniji (Partner, KPMG West Africa). Panelists addressed the urgent need to unlock capital for creators, startups, and digital media ventures. They explored frameworks for sustainable investment, from public-private partnerships to tax incentives and micro-investment models tailored to the African media ecosystem. The panel called for financial inclusion models that empower independent creators and small and medium sized media businesses and build long-term economic resilience within the digital content economy.
Each session echoed a central truth: Africa’s creator economy is vibrant and full of untapped potential, but unlocking its full value will require bold investment, regulatory reform, digital transformation, and most importantly, collaborative leadership.
The Blanche media roundtable summit was supported by GBfoods Nigeria, Gino, Nestle Purelife, Chumpe’s pot, Enhance360,Kymorcreativ, Mr Rexstudios and Flirt Vodka with media partners including Pulse, Businessday, Yabaleft, Brand Communicator, Talestime Africa, Musicwormcity, Modaculture and This is Lagos.