[Commlist] Call for Abstracts: Handbook of Africa's Cultural and Creative Industries

*Call for Book Chapters*
*Africa’s Cultural and Creative Industries: /Innovation, Identity, and 
Policy in Transition/*
*Editors:* /Ikechukwu Obiaya, Kizito Ogedi Alakwe/
Africa’s cultural and creative industries (CCIs) have entered a defining 
moment of evolution, expression, and global relevance. From the cultural 
phenomenon of Afrobeats and the viral rise of digital comedy to 
innovations in fashion, gaming, and immersive media, the continent is 
asserting itself as a vibrant site of creative enterprise. These 
developments are increasingly shaped by youth-led digital 
transformation, shifting gender dynamics, and expanding platforms for 
storytelling, cultural production, and regional identity.
While countries like Nigeria have garnered significant global attention, 
parallel growth and innovation are being witnessed in several African 
contexts, marked by unique local conditions and diverse cultural 
expressions. However, the industry across the continent continues to 
face systemic barriers: policy fragmentation, limited funding 
infrastructure, regulatory challenges, and informal labour conditions 
that call for rigorous academic interrogation and practice-based insight.
Following the success of /Nigeria’s Cultural and Creative Industries: 
Perspectives, Problems and Prospects/ (published by Routledge and coming 
on sale on December 08, 2025), this collection expands the analytical 
frame while retaining a strong spotlight on Nigeria’s creative economy 
as a lens to interrogate broader African trends. It seeks to explore new 
directions, emerging voices, and structural developments shaping 
cultural production and creative entrepreneurship within Africa’s 
evolving innovation systems.
We invite academics, researchers, creative practitioners, policymakers, 
and cultural critics to submit original and high-quality chapter 
proposals that critically engage with specific sectors, cross-sectoral 
dynamics, policy regimes, innovations, and lived experiences within 
Africa’s cultural and creative spaces. This volume aims to be an 
authoritative interdisciplinary reference for scholars, students, 
industry professionals, and development institutions with an interest in 
Africa’s cultural economy and creative futures.
*Recommended Themes*
Afrobeats and Africa’s Global Cultural Footprint
The Rise of Digital Comedy and Skit Culture
Social media, stand-up acts, and the monetisation of micro-content.
Creative Hubs, Co-working Spaces, and Incubators
Mapping creative infrastructure in major cities of Africa.
Documentaries, experimental cinema, and indigenous-language films.
Women in Africa’s Creative Sector: Visibility, Challenges, and Triumphs
Youth, Creativity, and Digital Entrepreneurship
Africa’s Fashion Industry: Cultural Identity, Global Markets, and 
Sustainability
Gaming, Animation, and XR in Africa: The Frontier Industries
Indigenous Knowledge, Oral Traditions, and Creative Reimagination
Monetizing Creativity: Business Models in Africa’s Content Economy
Piracy and Intellectual Property: Legal Gaps and Enforcement Dilemmas
Cultural Festivals and Regional Economies
Faith, Tradition, and Creative Expression
Funding the Arts: Private, Public, and Alternative Finance Models
Cultural Diplomacy and Africa’s Global Influence
Creative Labour and Informality: The Precarity of Artistry
African Literature, Spoken Word, and Publishing in the Digital Age
Censorship, Creative Freedom, and the Politics of Expression
Creative Education and Talent Development
Creative Cities and Localised Innovation

*Submission Details*
Contributors are invited to submit a 300-word abstract aligned with one 
of the listed themes. Each proposal should demonstrate a clear empirical 
basis, as well as theoretical or practice-based relevance. Importantly, 
contributors are expected to interrogate their chosen theme within the 
context of a specific African country or locality, rather than making 
broad generalisations about the continent. This approach is intended to 
capture the richness and diversity of creative industries across Africa 
while allowing for grounded, context-sensitive insights. All abstracts 
should include the proposed title, the author’s full name, institutional 
or organisational affiliation, a contact email, and a brief author 
biography (not exceeding 100 words). Submissions should be sent via 
email to (kalakwe /at/ pau.edu.ng) or (iobiaya /at/ pau.edu.ng).
*Timelines*

  *
    *Deadline for abstract submission:* /August 30, 2026/
  *
    *Notification of abstract acceptance/rejection:* /September 30, 2026/
  *
    *Submission of complete chapters:* /December 20, 2026/
  *
    *Reviewer's feedback to authors:* /February 25, 2027/
  *
    *Submission of revised manuscripts:* /March 30, 2027/
  *
    *Expected publication date:* /July 30, 2027/

/Note: No APC (article processing charge) will be required from authors./
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