Kinshasa, September 6th, 2026 (CPA).- The young people have been urged to turn their creativity into business to improve their living conditions, during a panel discussion held under the theme ‘The business of fashion: When creativity becomes an economic force’. Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“We are urging young people to turn their creativity into business. For this first edition, the aim is to train young Congolese people in all creative fields, as the Congo is brimming with potential but talent lacks guidance,” has maintained Alain Junior Kraj, a member of the “Creative Currencies” organising team. According to Mr Kraj, this activity marks the conclusion of a series of three-day training sessions focused on integrating young people into the fashion industry, in line with the objectives set for his organisation. The aim is to engage in various sectors of the creative industries, notably fashion, photography and communication. For her part, Bibi Papillon, founder of ‘Creative Currencies’, has, during this panel discussion, shown young people the assets that enable creativity to become an economic force when driven by concrete projects.
“We have completed the training programme. Young people must have confidence in themselves to be able to rise to the challenges. Creative young people who want to work in the creative industries must believe in themselves, avoid self-doubt and forge ahead,” she has said. Ms Papillon has explained that this first panel discussion has been a great success. “The Congolese creative industries are moving forward, and that gives us hope. This requires support from the government and businesses, as the Congo is brimming with talent,” she has added.
According to the organisers, the event was attended by several guests from abroad who are active in the creative sector. Among them were Ive Kamara, former creative director of ‘Off-White’, Amandine Piango, who led the public relations workshop, and Mr Keni Germain, a photography tutor. The aim was to enable them to discover the diverse talents the country has to offer. The next edition of the panel, focusing on the theme of ‘creativity in business’, will take place next year.