President Bola Tinubu’s government has called on broadcasters, producers and content creators across Africa to explore business opportunities and find ways to overcome challenges in the sector.

Information minister Mohammed Idris made the call while declaring open the 2023 Edition of AFRICAST on Tuesdays in Lagos, with the theme ‘Broadcast Content: Synergy, Finance and Market’.

Mr Idris noted that as broadcasters, content creators and producers, it “is important to explore new business opportunities, find ways of surmounting challenges facing the industry, and strengthen our networks.”

He added that the three-day gathering would discuss the latest trends and innovations in the media and entertainment industry.

The event started on Tuesday and will conclude on Thursday.

It is organised by the National Broadcasting Commission, which licenses, regulates, evaluates content, and manages the frequency spectrum.

“AFRICAST is Africa’s investment platform for broadcast content and technology, which has, over the years, created an avenue for networking opportunities for broadcasters, broadcast equipment manufacturers, as well as all in the broadcast business,” the minister explained.

Mr Idris added, “This conference has continued to attract the who is who in the local and international broadcast industry and, in the past, has put the country on the global broadcasting map with its attendant benefits. 

“This conference has proven to be a catalyst for forging partnerships, networking and fostering mutual growth among African broadcasters, as well as share knowledge, experiences, and ideas.”

The information minister explained that this year’s event will have a special session tagged ‘AFRICAST 2023 Content HUB’, the first of its kind in Nigeria.

He said the hub will be a vibrant networking for TV and film experts in collaboration with the Nigerian International Film and TV Summit.

“This is aimed at completely transforming and revolutionising the television industry in Nigeria and on the African continent. This hub will also help to drive content acquisition, aggregation and the licensing distribution of local and international programmes from different film and television content categories,” Mr Idris explained.

The minister noted that there would be “new insights, connections, and partnerships that will help us to shape a better future for our continent and the world at large” during the conference.

(NAN)