Africa can export its creative economy by telling its own stories-Hauwa Lawal at NECLive 2025

Storyteller and filmmaker Hauwa Lawal told attendees at NECLive 2025 that Africa’s creative potential lies in its ability to own and share its narratives.
She said her work resonates globally because her community sees itself reflected in the stories she tells.

“I can tell my stories because I have a community of people who feel seen,” she said. “People see themselves in my stories. We have so much to tell.”

According to Lawal, authentic storytelling is a key lever for exporting Africa’s creative economy and presenting a fuller, truer image of the continent to the world.