validation Meeting on the Economic Contribution of the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs) in Zambia
Last week the 28th of May 2026, PAAGZ under the CfCA – Connect For Culture Africa initiative, convened the Zambia National Working Group (NWG) to undertake a validation Meeting on the Economic Contribution of the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs) in Zambia research study as well as the Baseline Follow up Study.
The meeting brought together technical experts of the NWG which comprises representatives from government institutions such as Parliamentary Budget office, Ministry of Finance and National Planning, #mofnp, Lusaka-Zambia, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, National Arts Council of Zambia, civil society organizations, academia, artists, and cultural practitioners to discuss the economic contribution the arts sector has had, artistic freedom, policy reforms, and investment opportunities within Zambia’s creative economy.
The meeting also discussed the soon to be published Status Report on the Evolution of the Legislative Landscape on Artistic Rights and Freedoms in the “New Dawn” Government.
Key discussions highlighted the need for:
Increased recognition, formalization and investment in the arts sectorStronger policy and legislative frameworksImproved data collection systemsFormalization of creative enterprisesEnhanced social welfare protection, andSustainable financing mechanisms for creatives
Participants also emphasized the importance of positioning the arts and culture sector as a significant contributor to Zambia’s GDP, employment creation, and national development planning vs the traditional perception of it being an entertainment and social sector.
The validation meeting further provided an important platform for strengthening collaboration, advocacy, and collective action towards initiatives and budget advocacy that can potentially build a more sustainable, inclusive, and economically recognized creative sector in Zambia.
