The Cultural and Creative Industries in Ethiopia: A Case of Cultural Lifestyle Items Producer

Abstract

The Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) built on a country's centuries-old know-how in handicraft production, the images, stories, symbols, music, dances and the likes have the potential to contribute significantly to the country's GDP and socio-economic development. Particularly in developing countries where there is high rate of unemployment among the youth. We used a case study research to explore the experiences, challenges and opportunities of businesses in the cultural and creative sector. To do so, we selected a start-up in Ethiopia that specialises in designing and producing culturally inspired quality and sustainable lifestyle products. Specifically, the chapter highlights the potential of indigenous knowledge and skill coupled with innovation in designing contemporary products and the process of producing them for the individual entrepreneurs, as well as the promotion and preservation of the country's cultural heritage. It also indicates the need to utilise abundant but underutilised resources to produce value-added and sustainable products in the region.

Citation

Gudeta, K.H. and Hailemariam, A.T. (2023), "The Cultural and Creative Industries in Ethiopia: A Case of Cultural Lifestyle Items Producer", Adeola, O. (Ed.) Casebook of Indigenous Business Practices in Africa, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 85-103. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-251-520231009