In a bold move to champion Kenya’s burgeoning creative economy, NCBA has launched a ground-breaking partnership with celebrated music producer Motif Di Don. This collaboration, titled the ELEV8 LIVE Studio, is a bold, future-focused initiative poised to discover, mentor, and empower emerging Kenyan music artists. This move isn’t just a corporate social responsibility play; it’s a strategic entry into a sector contributing over KSh 110 billion to the national GDP, signaling NCBA’s commitment to transforming creative passion into bankable, sustainable careers for a new generation of entrepreneurs.
NCBA is making a major move to support Kenya’s creative economy by partnering with renowned music producer Motif Di Don. Together, they have launched a dedicated platform aimed at discovering, mentoring, and boosting new music talent. This initiative is a clear signal of NCBA’s commitment to nurturing local artists and officially stepping into a sector that is a significant contributor to the country’s economy.
Also read: NCBA, Patron of the Arts: A Modern Commitment to Culture, Community, and Growth
The creative industry is a massive force in Kenya, accounting for an impressive 5.3% of the country’s GDP, or approximately KSh 110 billion. Despite this, a major challenge persists for many of the over 300,000 creative entrepreneurs: a lack of access to financial support. This is largely because their work doesn’t fit into traditional banking models. Many artists struggle with the conventional requirements for loans, such as formal business registration, consistent cash flow documentation, or assets like land or vehicles for collateral. The persistent perception of creative careers as mere “hobbies” only adds to the difficulty in securing financial backing.
The ELEV8 LIVE Studio is a direct response to these challenges. The initiative goes beyond providing a space for talent and mentorship; it’s a stepping stone for NCBA to develop financial products specifically designed to meet the unique needs of creatives. By offering both financial and non-financial support, NCBA is not only investing in the artists themselves but also in the broader creative ecosystem, helping to build a more inclusive financial system that recognizes the true value of creativity and entrepreneurship. The bank is exploring innovative ideas like recognizing intellectual property, such as music masters, as a form of collateral for credit a game-changer for the industry.
This initiative is a natural extension of NCBA’s wider sustainability commitments, which place a strong focus on youth empowerment. By actively supporting the arts, including stand-up comedy and art shows, the bank is demonstrating its dedication to fostering a diversified economy. They understand that a country’s wealth isn’t just measured in traditional sectors, but also in the vibrant, innovative spirit of its people.
The partnership with Motif Di Don is a powerful statement, showing that NCBA is ready to actively back the creative leaders of tomorrow. It’s a message to the next generation of artists that their talent is not only valuable but also “bankable.” This forward-thinking approach has the potential to help a new wave of artists turn their passion into sustainable and successful careers, setting a new standard for how financial institutions can engage with and support a country’s cultural and economic future.
Key Highlights
- A Strategic Partnership: NCBA has teamed up with renowned music producer Motif Di Don to create the ELEV8 LIVE Studio, a dedicated platform for nurturing new Kenyan music talent. This collaboration is a clear signal of the bank’s commitment to the arts.
- Targeting an Untapped Market: The initiative directly addresses a key challenge facing Kenya’s over 300,000 creative entrepreneurs: a lack of access to traditional financial services. NCBA is bridging this gap by developing financial products specifically tailored for artists and their unique needs.
- Rethinking Collateral: The bank is exploring a potential “game-changer” for the industry by accepting intellectual property (like music masters) as a form of collateral for credit, moving beyond traditional requirements like land or vehicles.
- Youth Empowerment & Economic Diversification: This move aligns with NCBA’s broader sustainability and youth empowerment goals. By investing in the creative sector, the bank is actively fostering a more diversified and inclusive national economy.
