Ramatu Gumah Named CEO and Brand Ambassador to Strengthen Africa’s Global Creative Footprint

The Nollywood Africa Network has announced the appointment of Ms. Ramatu Gumah as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Head of Africa Diaspora Affairs, and Brand Ambassador for the Nollywood Africa in Diaspora Film, Food Festival and Awards, in a move aimed at deepening collaboration between Africa and its global diaspora while advancing the continent’s creative economy.

The appointment is being hailed as a significant milestone for the organisation as it seeks to expand its continental and international reach through strategic partnerships, cultural diplomacy, and creative industry development.

With years of experience in leadership, stakeholder engagement, and creative industry advocacy, Ms. Gumah is expected to play a central role in positioning the Nollywood Africa Network as a catalyst for Pan-African collaboration, cultural exchange, and economic growth.

A STRATEGIC APPOINTMENT

As Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Gumah will provide strategic leadership for the Network’s programmes, oversee its operational activities across Africa, and guide initiatives designed to strengthen the film, television, tourism, fashion, food, and cultural sectors.

In her capacity as Head of Africa Diaspora Affairs, she will lead the Network’s engagement with African diaspora communities, building partnerships that connect governments, creative professionals, investors, cultural institutions, tourism organisations, and development partners.

Her mandate includes promoting knowledge exchange, encouraging investment in Africa’s creative industries, and creating opportunities that enable African talent to compete more effectively on the global stage.

In addition, her appointment as Brand Ambassador for the Nollywood Africa in Diaspora Film, Food Festival and Awards places her at the forefront of one of the Network’s flagship initiatives dedicated to celebrating African storytelling, cinema, cuisine, tourism, and cultural heritage.

PROMOTING AFRICA THROUGH CREATIVITY

The Nollywood Africa in Diaspora Film, Food Festival and Awards is designed to be more than an entertainment event. It seeks to serve as an international platform that showcases Africa’s rich cultural diversity while creating business opportunities for filmmakers, actors, producers, chefs, tourism operators, fashion entrepreneurs, visual artists, musicians, and other creative professionals.

The initiative also aims to strengthen ties between Africa and people of African descent around the world through cultural exchange, networking, investment, and collaborative projects.

By combining film, food, tourism, and cultural experiences, the festival is expected to contribute to economic development while promoting a positive and authentic image of Africa on the global stage.

According to the Network, her appointment represents a renewed commitment to promoting African excellence, supporting creative entrepreneurship, and strengthening collaborations that will unlock new opportunities across the continent and within the diaspora.

The organisation noted that Africa’s creative industries have become an important driver of economic growth, youth employment, tourism, and cultural diplomacy, making strong leadership essential to sustaining this momentum.

LOOKING AHEAD

Industry stakeholders believe Ms. Gumah’s appointment comes at a time when African content is attracting unprecedented global attention through film, music, fashion, literature, digital media, and tourism.

Her leadership is expected to support stronger institutional partnerships, increase international visibility for African creatives, and reinforce the Network’s mission of using the creative industries as tools for economic empowerment and cultural diplomacy.

As preparations continue for future editions of the Nollywood Africa in Diaspora Film, Food Festival and Awards, the appointment signals a new chapter in the Network’s efforts to connect Africa with its diaspora through innovation, collaboration, and shared cultural identity.

With Ms. Ramatu Gumah at the helm, the Nollywood Africa Network is positioning itself to play a greater role in shaping the future of Africa’s creative economy and strengthening the continent’s presence in the global cultural landscape.