SekiZheemKulture Marketplace has announced plans to build a $5 billion cultural economy in the Niger Delta, targeting 500,000 culturepreneurs through expanded market access for traditional crafts, festivals, cultural heritage and creative industries.

The initiative aims to bring together cultural practitioners across 50 tribes, connect a network of 500 festivals and showcase five million wetland heritage commodities. Organisers stressed that these figures represent long-term targets and revenue ambitions, not funds already generated or investments secured.

A key component of the proposal is a 50-day cultural activation scheduled to run between November and January. The programme is expected to link festivals, theatre productions, exhibitions and heritage experiences with commercial opportunities across the Niger Delta’s nine states.

Yibo Koko, Chief Executive Officer of SekiZheemKulture Marketplace, said the initiative seeks to help people who preserve and promote the region’s cultural heritage earn income from their skills, knowledge and creative output.

“Our culture carries knowledge, creativity and enterprise potential. Through SekiZheemKulture Marketplace, we want the energy of our festivals and theatre to create lasting opportunities for the people behind them,” Koko said.

The marketplace is expected to showcase cultural products such as textiles, fashion, beadwork, carvings, food products and collectibles. It also plans to connect artisans and producers with buyers across Nigeria, the diaspora and international markets.

Beyond providing access to customers, the initiative intends to help participants improve product presentation, branding, pricing and digital marketing. These skills are expected to support the development of sustainable businesses and enable cultural entrepreneurs to generate income beyond individual festivals and events.

By linking cultural heritage with commercial opportunities, SekiZheemKulture Marketplace aims to expand the market reach of artisans, performers, producers and other creative professionals across the Niger Delta.

If implemented, the initiative could give cultural enterprises access to new customers while supporting the region’s creative economy. However, the proposed $5 billion cultural economy and participation targets remain ambitions rather than confirmed economic results.

Source: msmeafricaonline