Digital Creator Africa Summit Debuts with Chude Jideonwo’s $500,000 Fourth Mainland Creator Fund |Omohglobalnews

 

LAGOS, NIGERIA – September 22, 2025

The maiden edition of the Digital Creator Africa (DCA) Summit has set a remarkable standard for the continent’s fast-growing creator economy, bringing together some of Nigeria and Africa’s most influential creators, creatives, brands, and cultural voices. The summit held on September 18 at the Africa Creative Market, Landmark Village, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Convened by creative business consultant Ifeoma ‘Oma Areh, the highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Nigerian media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, who unveiled the Fourth Mainland Creator Fund — a groundbreaking $500,000 initiative designed to provide direct capital to African creators.

Speaking under the theme “Overtaking is Allowed,” Jideonwo announced that the fund, backed by nearly ₦1 billion of his personal resources, will officially commence operations in January 2026. Unlike conventional grants or mentorship schemes, the Fourth Mainland Fund will channel investments directly into individual creators rather than companies or NGOs, with a focus on bold innovators capable of scaling into global media brands.

“Grants do not build empires. Mentorship does not scale industries. Capital does,” Jideonwo asserted. “Creators do not need permission; they need people betting on them in a systemic way.”

The fund will be platform-agnostic, supporting creators across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Substack, and beyond. Managed by Joy Inc., under the leadership of its newly appointed CEO Jennifer Mairo, the fund will also launch a pioneering “record label for creators,” amplifying African creative voices on the global stage.

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Spotlight Sessions and Key Highlights

The summit featured dynamic sessions that cut across industries and creative fields:

• Tomike Adeoye shared her inspiring journey from content creation to commerce, highlighting her transition into a successful influencer-entrepreneur.
• Chichi Nworah in discussion with Mykel Parish explored strategies for building sustainable African creative empires across multiple markets.
• David Adeleke, alongside NCAC Director General Obi Asika and DCA Convener Ifeoma ‘Oma Areh, dissected insights from Nigeria’s Creative Economy Report, offering practical advice on how creators can “follow the money.”
• Filmmaker and brand architect Orji Emmanuel (Tyla E) and Mainstack founder Ayobami Oyaleke led a technical session on “The Monetizable Brand: Techniques, Tools, and Strategies for the Profitable Creator.”
• Malik Afegbua presented a visionary outlook on the possibilities of AI-powered creativity.
• A robust conversation on Sponsorships and Brands, moderated by Charles Ugochukwu Born, featured insights from leading executives including Mabel Adeteye, Franklin Ozekhome, Abiola Fabio, and Olufemi Oguntamu, who outlined strategies for long-term brand-creator partnerships.
• The Digital Box Office segment brought together streaming innovators Jesimiel Damina, Ariyike Owolagba, Olufemi Oguntamu, and Dami Dawson, to discuss the evolution of streaming and the power of African storytelling.
• In “From Creator to Creative Entrepreneur”, panelists including Tosin Ajibade (Olorisupergal), David I. Adeleke (Communique), Uchechi Ihuoma (Curately), and Sisi Yemmie explored profitability pathways in niche creator spaces.
• The **UGC Panel