The Mombasa County Creative Economy Taskforce has concluded the validation of its long-awaited report, with stakeholders calling for unity, stronger policy support and increased investment to transform the county into a leading creative economy hub.

The validation exercise brought together artists, filmmakers, musicians, actors, cultural practitioners, government officials and private sector representatives to review recommendations expected to guide the growth of the county’s creative industry.

Speaking during the forum, Youth, Gender and Sports Chief Officer Goshi said Mombasa had distinguished itself as the only county to establish a dedicated creative economy taskforce, demonstrating Governor Abdulswamad Nassir’s commitment to empowering creatives.

“Mombasa is the only county to form such a taskforce, and that shows how serious the Governor is about empowering the creative sector. As stakeholders, we must not take this lightly. We need to work closely with the county government to ensure its success,” said Goshi.

He acknowledged that the process had not been without challenges but expressed confidence that collaboration would ultimately benefit everyone in the industry.

“There have been many challenges along the way, but in the end we will all be winners. The creative economy has many different sectors and we must work together as one family. This is an opportunity we have all been waiting for, and we must strive to make it happen,” he added.

Taskforce Chairman Ali Manzu said the report was the product of extensive consultations, noting that differing opinions among members had ultimately strengthened the final document.

“We had disagreements and misunderstandings while developing this report, but we eventually found common ground because we all wanted what is best for the industry. We now ask for your cooperation and support as we move to the implementation stage,” he said.

Actress Aisha Mwajumlah challenged creatives to embrace unity, saying meaningful progress would only be achieved through collective action.

“We can hold forums like this every day, but without unity we will not move an inch. We need to support one another if we are to prosper. Let this not be the end of the conversation,” she said.

Creative industry stakeholder Stephanie Maseki urged the county to prioritize implementation over promises, warning against duplicating existing initiatives.

“We currently do not even have a database showing how many creatives are in Mombasa. We cannot keep talking about creating film festivals when the existing one is not functioning. Let us not reinvent the wheel. Let us include clear timelines in these recommendations and ensure this process does not become politicized as we approach the election period,” she said.

Key findings

The taskforce identified several challenges slowing the growth of Mombasa’s creative economy, including:

• Inadequate public exhibition and performance spaces.
• Limited knowledge on business registration and licensing.
• Poor understanding of intellectual property rights and contractual agreements.
• Lack of local film festivals and platforms to showcase creative work.
• Limited branding, business development and professional training.
• Insufficient media exposure for local talent.
• Absence of a structured funding framework and startup support.
• Difficulties in accessing public spaces for film production.

Recommendations

Among the key proposals contained in the report are:

• Increased county support through regular exhibitions and promotional programmes.
• A structured civic education and awareness programme for creatives.
• Integration of arts infrastructure into county development plans.
• Incentives, including tax and penalty waivers, for investors supporting creative enterprises.
• Greater private sector participation in financing and training creatives.
• Development of an ultra-modern film and music production complex in Mombasa.
• Fast-tracking the Mombasa County Creative Industry Bill, 2026, which seeks to establish the Mombasa County Creative Economy Management Board to oversee and coordinate the sector.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that once adopted, the report would provide a roadmap for strengthening Mombasa’s creative economy, creating jobs for young people and positioning the county as a regional centre for arts, culture and innovation.