Dr. Nkiru Balonwu, the esteemed Founder of The Africa Soft Power Group, is set to deliver the keynote address at the highly anticipated QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit.
The summit, scheduled for August 12, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, promises to be a pivotal gathering for stakeholders in Nigeria’s burgeoning creative industries.
The announcement was made by Mighty Media Plus Network Limited, publishers of the online newspaper QEDNG, and the organisers of the event. The summit’s theme, “Financing as Catalyst for a Thriving Creative Economy,” underscores its focus on exploring sustainable financial models and collaborative opportunities to propel Nigeria’s creative sector forward.
Olumide Iyanda, CEO of Mighty Media Plus Network Limited and Convener of the summit, emphasised Dr. Balonwu’s unique suitability for the keynote role. “Dr. Balonwu’s work in advocating African voices in global discourse and her expertise across law, technology, finance, show business, and international development continue to inspire transformation across the continent,” Iyanda stated.
He added that her insights are expected to deeply resonate with an audience comprising policymakers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, setting the stage for robust dialogue on unlocking Africa’s creative potential.
The summit aims to bring together a diverse group of participants, including policymakers, investors, industry professionals, and emerging talents. Discussions will revolve around funding solutions, fostering partnerships between creatives and investors, and equipping participants with essential financial management tools. The event is also designed to create a collaborative environment conducive to driving long-term progress within the creative economy.
Dr. Balonwu’s extensive background makes her a formidable voice for the summit. As the leader of The Africa Soft Power Group, she oversees The Africa Soft Power Project, ASP Global, and African Women on Board – organisations dedicated to reshaping Africa’s global influence through culture, media, and technology. Her previous role as CEO of Spinlet, Sub-Saharan Africa’s first major music streaming platform, saw its subscriber base grow to over two million under her leadership.
Academically, Dr. Balonwu holds a Doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master’s from University College London, and a Law degree from the University of Manchester. She is called to the bar in England, Nigeria, and New York. Her influence extends globally, as evidenced by her inclusion in New African magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential Africans in 2022 and her receipt of the Powerlist UK Black Excellence International Award in 2019 for her work with African Women on Board.
From 2022 to 2023, she served as a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, focusing on the private sector’s role in shaping gender policy in Africa.
The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit is poised to be a landmark event for Nigeria’s creative space, with further announcements regarding speakers and panellists expected in the coming weeks. The summit reflects a growing recognition of the creative economy’s significant contribution to national development and its potential for further growth with strategic support and investment.
