William Lamptey, popularly known as Willie Chembez, shared powerful insights on the future of Africa’s creative economy during an exclusive interview with Business Day TV on December 5th, 2025.

In the conversation, Willie highlighted how talent, authentic storytelling, and creative innovation are becoming major drivers of economic growth across the continent, while also opening up opportunities for young creatives and investors alike.

According to Willie Chembez, Africa’s creative industry, especially the film sector, is experiencing a long-awaited awakening. He noted that although global creative industries have long been flourishing, Africa is only now beginning to gain momentum. “A few years ago, the patronage for theatre arts in Africa, particularly in Ghana, was very low,” he recalled. “But today, things are changing. We are filling theatres and seeing audiences respond with enthusiasm whenever we call for shows.”

He reflected on the pre-COVID era, describing it as a period of rapid growth and rising investor interest. However, the pandemic became a significant setback, forcing the entire industry to rebuild from the ground up. Despite this challenge, he emphasized that the resilience of African creatives has reignited the sector’s growth, with renewed investments and increasing visibility across industries.

When discussing filmmaking standards, Willie Chembez praised the remarkable improvements in quality and production across Africa. He believes the continent is finally stepping into global recognition due to the rising professionalism of its filmmakers. “This is the time for Africans, especially Ghanaians, to push harder and elevate our craft so we can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global industry leaders,” he said.

Willie also addressed the importance of global visibility in African storytelling. To him, authenticity is the foundation. He stressed that Africans are the most qualified to tell their own stories because only they fully understand their heritage, struggles, culture, and identity. “The world doesn’t know who we truly are until we show them,” he emphasized. He praised the recent wave of captivating African stories, explaining that they offer international audiences a fresh kind of entertainment they have never experienced before.

He described this unique storytelling style as the “spice” currently driving global interest in African content.

Willie Chembez further expressed excitement about the growth of performance and production quality in the industry. Compared to the past, when resources, skills, and compelling stories were limited, today’s creative environment is flourishing. The tools are available, the talent is strong, and the standards now meet global expectations. With increasing investment and a deliberate focus on quality, Willie believes the African film industry is on a clear path to sustainable growth and international success.