Closing of MOCA, the festival of African creativity: Taking a new look at CCIs through an ecosystem approach

MOCA, Movement of Creative Africas, closed its eight edition this year with a show worthy of African civilization and authenticity. After 4 days of reflection on the cultural and creative industries (CCIs), in a thoughtful, sensible, and pragmatic debate with professionals in the field and speakers with rich experience, the MOCA Show brought this great cultural event to a close. In a very beautiful atmosphere, great Moroccan and African artists performed on the stage of the Mohammed V Theater in the city of Rabat, Morocco.

The artists showed their creativity in front of spectators who came from different countries of Africa and elsewhere to applaud them. Choreography, music, humor, songs, and dances were on the agenda for the participants to enjoy. Before these last performances, the debate during the various panels on the theme of the CCIs was of a very high level at the Villa des Arts. Many themes that testify to the need to promote the sector were discussed. These themes include the impact of CCIs in Africa and the world, the development of sustainable cultural policies, intellectual property, access to markets through African creation, the monetization of creativity, and investment in CCIs, among other topics.

The ecosystem approach to culture, a major asset for the sustainability of the profession

Mr. Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa and President of the Organizing Committee of the African Capitals of Culture, insisted on working according to an ecosystem approach to culture, in order to allow for the sustainability and continuity of the profession. What is at stake is not only entertainment, but a whole cultural industry.

During the panel moderated by Mr. Mbassi, several issues were raised, including the issue of funding, which is becoming a matter of trust between artists and intermediaries. CCI professionals do not have collateral when they want to invest, which takes up a lot of their time and generates a loss of talented people, hence the importance of building a favorable ecosystem (of respect, work, and quality) in order to guarantee the viability of the project and the survival of creators in the first four to five years of existence of their project.

Though artists’ initiatives are significant and bear witness to great creativity, they remain isolated due to the lack of support from entrepreneurs, communication agents, and brand specialists. It was noted that 10 billion US dollars have been invested in global music industry, and that this figure is only 75 million in Africa. Though CCIs contribute to 3% of the African States’ GDP, this figure stands only at 1% in Morocco, and if one removes the share of the audiovisual sector, only 0.03% remain for CCIs.

Reflection on a label promoted by the city of Rabat and which could “move” to other territories

The MOCA also organized working sessions of a Think Tank towards cities with a Copyright Friendly Label, which took place at the Hiba Foundation, where the BMDA (Moroccan Copyright Office) and similar offices, conducted reflection on copyright and neighboring rights issues, with the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) on a label promoted by the city of Rabat and which could move to other territories that could also adopt this Copyright Friendly Label.

Adversity creates talent

Mani Noredine, Producer, Manager and Publisher, President of the New-York-based American Artists Company (AAC), which shines through 125 countries, addressed for his part, the capital role of Morocco in the field of culture and the future of Africa. He also noted that the festival was very interesting as it brought together people from the same field, and said that there was an impressive pool of artists in the Kingdom Morocco.