Sierra Leone and Kenya have signed Statements of Intent with The Akuna Group during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda. This move establishes both countries as founding champions of the Commonwealth Creative Economy Partnership, aimed at connecting talent with investment and enterprise across the Commonwealth.
Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh represented Sierra Leone, while Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr A. Korir Sing’Oei signed on behalf of Kenya. Sir Idris Elba, Chairman of The Akuna Group, was also present. The event was graced by President Dr Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, who received a message of goodwill from Ghana’s Hon. Joycelyn Tetteh MP.
Sir Idris expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda for his hospitality and the opportunity to open One Commonwealth Night. He highlighted the power of creativity to foster cross-cultural connections and create opportunities for individuals to monetise their talents.
The Akuna Group praised the Common-wealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey for championing youth ambition and acknowledged the support from the Commonwealth Secretariat in shaping the Partnership, which aligns with the goals of the involved countries.
Chief Minister Sengeh noted that Sierra Leone’s commitment reflects President Bio’s focus on human capital, stating, “Our young people are not a problem to be managed; they are a resource to invest in.” In turn, Dr Sing’Oei mentioned that the partnership would provide Kenyan youth with avenues to market their creative enterprises.
Akuna’s initiatives also include training emerging filmmakers in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and South Africa through the “Script to Screen with AI” programme, supported by a $1 million grant from Google.org. In Ghana, the entry of Akuna Wallet Ltd into the Bank of Ghana’s regulatory sandbox will facilitate innovation in cross-border earnings. Hon Tetteh welcomed these opportunities for Ghana’s creative talents.
In separate meetings, Sir Idris discussed a Barbados-led initiative promoting cultural exchange between African and Caribbean artists with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, and addressed cross-border earnings with Dr Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados. He also met UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to explore vocational pathways connecting training and employment in the creative industries.
These agreements signal a commitment to strengthen connections between skills and markets, tailored to the priorities of participating nations.
