By:Kenneth Appiah Bani
Award-winning Ghanaian musician and global reggae-dancehall icon, Stonebwoy, has delivered a powerful critique of Africa’s creative economy, stressing that digital streaming in many parts of the continent remains financially unrewarding for artists.
Speaking at the Drive to Inspire Africa event held on the sidelines of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026, Stonebwoy noted that while African music enjoys massive global reach, the systems meant to monetize creativity locally are weak and unsustainable.
“Streaming in our part of the world sadly doesn’t pay,” he said, highlighting how African creatives continue to generate cultural value without receiving fair economic returns.
According to the multiple award-winning artist, the creative industry is still not treated with the seriousness it deserves, despite its ability to create jobs, influence culture, and contribute significantly to national economies.
Stonebwoy echoed similar concerns earlier at the NextUp Conference held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), where he lamented the dismissive attitude often shown toward creatives.
“In the creative space, they think our work is a joke,” he remarked, stressing that artists, filmmakers, writers, and other creatives are frequently excluded from serious economic and policy conversations.
He urged policymakers, corporate institutions, and investors to begin viewing the creative industry as a viable economic sector rather than mere entertainment.
Beyond economics, Stonebwoy also addressed the growing culture of online trolling and persistent attacks on public figures, particularly creatives, on social media platforms. He called for a nationalistic mentality that prioritizes unity, respect, and collective progress.
“We must all have a nationalistic mentality,” he stated, emphasizing that constant negativity and internal sabotage only weaken Africa’s global standing.
He encouraged Africans to support their own talents, protect public figures from destructive criticism, and channel online discourse toward constructive engagement.
Stonebwoy’s contributions at APD 2026 reinforced the broader theme of the dialogues building a prosperous Africa through collaboration, innovation, and policy reform. His remarks positioned the creative economy as a critical but underutilized pillar of Africa’s development agenda.
As Africa continues to export its culture to the world, Stonebwoy’s message remains clear: without fair systems, respect for creative labour, and a united mindset, the continent risks losing both value and vision from one of its most powerful assets.
