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In pre-colonial times, Cultural Industries played critical roles in fast tracking the growth of rural economies through the abundant array of crafts and ancillary industries that served as adjunct to farming. These can be found in Ivory, Bronze, Brass, and Glass castings, Pottery, Leather works, Textiles, Basketry etc produced in different parts of the country and distributed largely by itinerant traders in what then served as long distance trade. These trades thrived significantly owing to the large patronage they then enjoyed, especially from royal and economically highly placed personages. Unfortunately, the disarticulation caused by both the advent of colonialism and subsequent discovery of oil relegated the once thriving industry to the back ground. It is based on the desire to recapture the very essence of this industry and to re-enact its wealth creation potentials that the National Council for Arts and Culture initiated the African Arts and Crafts Expo, in Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.
Instituted in 2008, the first three editions had focused on “growing the rural economy through the crafts industry”. This was largely designed to reawaken and re-energise the sector through a well coordinated plan of action that will attract African craftsmen and women at a forum for sharing ideas, exchange and refinement, as well as attempting to create an organized market as outlet for the sale of these crafts. It also affords relevant stakeholders the opportunities of information sharing with various producers, investors, marketers and entrepreneurs in the industry and a linkage between the financial service sector.
The successes of the first two editions therefore inspired the choice of the theme of the third edition; Growing the Rural Economy through the Crafts Industry, as a way of building on the progress recorded as well as not only to sustain but to make it a truely African crafts market to hold on annual basis.
Indeed any major development initiative that is designed to be sustainable cannot afford to neglect the creative industry sector, because it is second only to agriculture in Job creation and rural transformation and holds the key to a sustainable technology and economic development.
In summary, the objectives of the AFAC are:
▪ To promote Import - export business of African Arts and Crafts to buyers worldwide and showcase some aspects of African Cultural heritage.
▪ Impact requisite knowledge of import/export guidelines to Arts and Crafts producers and marketers.
▪ Sensitise investors on the need to invest in the Arts and Crafts sector, as a way of encouraging enterprise development and export oriented production.
▪ Establish an African international Arts and Crafts market place.
▪ To Promote regional integration in line with the spirit of African Union Charter.
On display at the Expo are rich and diverse African Crafts, African Cuisine, Fashion and Cultural displays. This provides great opportunities for effective and focused promotional and marketing incentives for would-be sponsors.
The Expo features among others the following:
Interior Décor, Magnificent Cane/Raffia works, African Cuisine Display, World class leather Designs, Classical Ceramics/Pottery works, Indigenous Music Galore, African Arts and Crafts, Handcrafted Coral Beads, Rich African Textiles, Investment Forum, Cultural souvenirs, Fascinating Jewelries etc.
Participation are drawn from various Countries of the world, the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria, Artists guilds, Nigeria Crafts Council (NCC) States Crafts Committees (SCC) NGOs specializing in arts and crafts, manufacturers, investors, Nigeria Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the 36 States and FCT, Fashion Houses, Institutions, Designers and all other relevant stakeholders
When developed the market shall be the biggest African Cultural Industry display market in the African continent and Nigeria will use it in empowering and creating job opportunities for its teeming unemployed. |
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