Cultural renaissance and economic transformation 2/2
A Personal Journey: Reconnecting with Heritage
My own journey mirrors this broader narrative of transformation. Born in the Moungo (Cameroon), educated in Europe, well travelled in over 35+ countries on most continents, I started a career in luxury retail management that created a desire to contribute alongside creative talents on their journey to elevate craftsmanship and heritage. I spent many years out of the continent before reconnecting properly during a pivotal trip to Accra (Ghana) in 2013, where I encountered many creatives on the verge. This experience inspired me to found MoonLook—a creative platform elevating craftsmanship and promoting creatives of African Heritage in Culture, Art, Luxury, Crafts, Design, Fashion on the global stage.
Launching the e.commerce, then my eponymous gallery and now the agency and the many other projects in this African cultural and creative galaxy from scratch was not without challenges. Navigating the complexities of social, economical and political dynamics as someone born in one place yet striving to succeed elsewhere taught me resilience and adaptability. It also deepened my appreciation for Africa’s untapped potential and a deep desire to make a difference and support with by any means possible the success of those on the same journey.
Today, I see my journey reflected in many young Africans returning to the continent with fresh perspectives. These "repats" are reimagining Africa’s role in the world by blending global expertise with local knowledge. And for the past decade, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with many, closely 150 creatives (5), and among them, for most, the journey has been about reinventing the African aesthetic and shaping a new narrative—one where African creativity takes center stage, creates wealth and prosperity for the community.
The research paper : A Collaborative Effort
The Transforming Heritage into Wealth study is a collaborative initiative designed to deepen our collective understanding of Africa’s creative sectors and specially the process of creating consumer goods for local markets. On one hand, we are joining teams with Kasi Insight, Africa's leading decision intelligence company.
Yannick Lefang, CEO of Kasi Insight. " We are thrilled to join forces with Moonlook in a partnership that merges creativity with data-driven decision-making. Together, we aim to amplify Africa’s creative potential and inspire sustainable innovation across the continent."
This partnership marks a dynamic collaboration between two organizations committed to driving innovation and empowering Africa’s creative economy. By combining Kasi Insight’s advanced data-driven methodologies with Moonlook’s expertise in creativity and legacy-building, the partnership aims to unlock new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and sustainability in Africa's creative industries.
On another hand, we are also inviting and welcoming experts from various fields living on different continents and mostly operating in/with Africa who share a commitment to empowering creatives and fostering innovation, as well as journalists and/or contributors who will help understand and tell creative stories from the field.
We invite designers and creatives across Africa and the diaspora to share their experiences as consumers and producers.
By gathering diverse perspectives, we aim to help our sector, global institutions and policy makers on the continent to better understand the challenges facing these sectors while identifying actionable solutions to transform the potential to enable prosperity.
This study will focus on three pivotal areas:
Fashion: Exploring how African designers can scale sustainably while preserving cultural authenticity.
Design & contemporary crafts: Highlighting innovative approaches that merge functionality with heritage.
Beauty & Cosmetics : Investigating consumer preferences for products rooted in African identity.
Our ultimate goal is to foster an ecosystem where creativity thrives—one that generates wealth while celebrating Africa’s unique cultural legacy.
Our call to Action
Africa stands at a crossroads where its rich heritage can be transformed into economic prosperity. By investing in its creative industries, nurturing its youth, and embracing sustainability, the continent can redefine its relationship with the world.
This vision requires collective effort—from governments crafting supportive policies to consumers choosing local brands over imports. As we embark on this study, I invite all stakeholders—designers, entrepreneurs, policymakers—to join us in reimagining what’s possible for Africa’s creative economy.
Together, we can ensure that Africa’s most enduring resource—its culture—becomes a cornerstone of its future prosperity.
If you are a creative or a consumer, click on the appropriate link below to share your thoughts :