Business
JAM | Jun 23, 2025

Nigerian Barake Mubarak to spotlight borderless creative economy at Realign Conference

/ Our Today

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

When Bakare Mubarak takes the stage virtually at the Realign Business & Investment Conference on June 25, 2025, at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, he brings more than presence—he brings purpose.

Globally recognised for his cultural advocacy, Mubarak is a celebrated Nigerian fashion icon, artist, and cultural ambassador who ranks among the Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent Under 40. As he addresses the theme ‘Building a Borderless Creative Economy: Unlocking Opportunities Across Africa and the Caribbean’, Mubarak will deliver a powerful call to action. He will urge deeper, more strategic connections between Africa and the Caribbean through the creative industries.

“Africa and the Caribbean share a rich cultural heritage shaped by our common history,” Mubarak explains.

“Most black Jamaicans trace their ancestry to sub-Saharan Africa—including Nigeria, Ghana, and The Gambia—largely as a result of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism.”

This shared past, he notes, has produced remarkable cultural similarities.

“Our similarities are not accidental. African rhythms and instruments are foundational to Caribbean music like reggae, soca, and calypso. Our cuisines reflect similar ingredients—okra, yams, plantains—and our literature and storytelling traditions explore themes of identity, liberation, and survival. These cultural threads bind us,” he says.

At a time when the cultural and creative industries rank among the fastest-growing sectors globally, valued at an estimated US$4.3 trillion annually and contributing 6.1 per cent to the global economy (UNESCO, 2023), the Caribbean stands at a critical crossroads. Despite its rich cultural capital, the Caribbean has yet to fully assert itself on the global stage.

Mubarak’s voice adds urgency to the conversation. His initiative, ‘BILARTERAL’, is actively working to bridge this gap.

“I am galvanising to contribute my own quota to this endeavour through BILARTERAL by integrating into Africa and the Caribbean creative market to foster cultural applications and exchange in art.”

For Mubarak, the path to transformation lies in tangible collaboration, which his initiative is actively tackling, including:

  • Co-productions in film, music, and art to produce content that celebrates shared heritage.
  • Joint festivals and events that give creatives space to connect and perform.
  • Shared digital marketplaces to expand global access to African and Caribbean creative content.

“Part of this vision is underway through BILATERAL and conversations like the Realign Business and Investment Conference. We’re taking the charge together.”

Drawing lessons from Nigeria’s creative boom, Mubarak advocates for strategic investment in Caribbean creative sectors. “Jamaica and other Caribbean countries can learn much from Nigeria’s success in developing Nollywood and Afrobeats by supporting local artistes and creatives to develop their skills and showcase their work globally.”

He also highlighted practical steps to build a truly borderless creative economy. He continues, “I am glad that this noble project, the Realign Business and Investment Conference, is one of the most important platforms for bridging our creative and economic futures.”

Mubarak noted a hopeful development: “I learnt there are ongoing efforts to start direct flights from Lagos, Nigeria to Jamaica. This will significantly enhance cultural and economic exchange.”

As he prepares to address the Realign audience, Mubarak envisions a future led by collaboration, creativity, and shared legacy. “Now is the perfect time to tap into the vast potential of our global economy—deepening our connections, unlocking hidden talents, and fostering innovation and growth. Together, we can make it happen. Ubuntu.”

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