Intra-African Trade Fair: Ballou Emphasizes the Role of Creative Industries in Driving Economic Growth in Africa

Algiers – On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Minister of Culture and Arts Zouhir Ballou stressed the importance of focusing on cultural creative industries to stimulate economic growth and enhance intra-African trade, according to a report by *aps.dz*. Speaking after visiting the Ministry of Culture and Arts’ pavilion at the Palais des Expositions (Safex) in Algiers, on the sidelines of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) held from September 4 to 10, 2025, Ballou stated, “Culture is a catalyst for peace and a driver of economic development in Africa, contributing to the promotion of trade exchanges among African countries.” In this context, he called for “integrating culture into the wheel of economic development” by focusing on creative industries stemming from various cultural fields such as cinema, theater, cuisine, and visual arts. Ballou highlighted the role of diverse cultural events, including the Intra-African Trade Exhibition and art festivals, in promoting creative industries as an essential component of the economy. Regarding the ministry’s participation in the fair, Ballou affirmed that “cultural institutions under the Ministry of Culture and Arts are working diligently to create dynamism in the capital,” including museums, art centers, and historical landmarks, through a varied cultural and artistic program designed to complement this significant African economic event hosted by Algeria. During his visit, the minister received briefings from those managing the ministry’s pavilion, overseen by the National Office for Culture and Information, which showcases the ministry’s vision of blending authenticity with modernity by linking rich cultural heritage with advanced technological mediums. Ballou also visited the art exhibition titled “African Imprints,” part of the African Creative Days “KANEX 2025” program, organized on the sidelines of the IATF. Earlier, the Minister of Culture and Arts presided over the award ceremony for the “CANEX Book Factory,” dedicated to African publishing, attended by members of an international jury comprising distinguished academics and experts from Algeria, Kenya, and the United States, alongside participants from the book and publishing industry in Africa.