Safaricom Backs Youth Creativity and Enterprise at Fishermen Experience in Kisumu

Safaricom has once again demonstrated its dedication to Kenya's creative economy by backing the Fishermen Experience in Kisumu. This three-day event blended creative skill-building, civic involvement, music, and entertainment. Young creatives and professionals gathered for masterclasses on Wednesday and Thursday, focusing on business aspects of the creative industry.

Topics ranged from financial literacy and managing irregular income to taxation, investment, brand building, digital music, and monetizing creative work. Participants also gained insights on accessing credit and funding to grow their businesses and projects. Thursday's sessions tackled civic engagement and rights advocacy, discussing constitutional rights, freedom of expression, copyright, fair contracts, and youth participation in governance.

Voter education was also included to motivate young creatives to use their influence for civic participation. "We believe in the power of young people and the creative industry to unite Kenyans," stated Zizwe Awuor, Director of Brand, Marketing, and Insights at Safaricom PLC. Awuor emphasized Safaricom's commitment to providing platforms and opportunities that enable young creatives to hone their skills, express themselves, and transform their passions into meaningful career prospects.

The programme concluded with a concert at Mamboleo Stadium, where artists, fans, and the broader Kisumu community gathered to celebrate Kenyan music, culture, and youth talent. The event showcased the role of digital financial services, such as Pochi la Biashara and M-PESA tills, in supporting businesses within the entertainment sector.

For audiences, the concert offered a chance to enjoy performances by local artists and celebrate Kenyan culture. Collins Ochieng, a participant, remarked that the experience was both exciting and empowering, fostering unity and enjoyment of Kenyan music and local artists while highlighting the energy and cultural pride among young people.

This Fishermen Experience is part of Safaricom's broader strategy to strengthen Kenya's creative economy, which has also included music auditions in Kakamega, Embu, and Kisumu, offering opportunities for emerging artists to develop their skills and gain exposure.