Création Africa opens applications for young creative entrepreneurs in SA, Lesotho and Malawi. Mentorship, incubation and funding support to help scale creative businesses. Apply by 7 December 2025.
If you’re building something in the creative space and looking for the next step, keep this on your radar.
Création Africa is back. The mentorship and incubation programme, run by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of France, and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), is calling for applications from South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi.
The focus is simple. Spot creators with strong ideas, then give them the tools, networks, and support to level up. Giving creative start ups a fighting chance.
What it is
Création Africa is not a quick workshop or once-off pitch day. It’s long-term support designed for people serious about growing their creative business.
It includes mentorship, training, funding opportunities and real-world connections in the cultural and creative industries. Think fashion. Film. Gaming. Digital media. Architecture. Design. Visual art. Craft. Cultural heritage. If you’re building in culture, this is for you.
What to expect
Fifty entrepreneurs, aged 18 and up, will be selected for a 7-week mentorship sprint starting February 2026. That phase is about refining your model, sharpening your thinking, and setting your business up to scale.
From there, the Top 15 will move into a six-month incubation phase. That’s April to October 2026. Expect strategic support, industry access, investor introductions, mentorship, and funding support to help you grow your project for real.
UVU Africa is leading the SA rollout. They’ve been scaling startups for over 25 years, so the experience runs deep.
Last year, the first iteration of this initiative included entrepreneurs from South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi. Here is a video about what they have to say:
Why it matters
Creative talent is everywhere on the continent. But access to resources and networks isn’t always equal. Programmes like this help close the gap, bringing structure, investment and mentorship into the creative economy.
As the French Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, David Martinon, put it: “Création Africa is about giving creatives the space to grow, innovate and collaborate for real impact.”
For the forward-thinking ones
If you’ve got a creative business and you’re ready for the next phase, this might be your moment.
Applications close Sunday, 7 December 2025 at 23:59.
Full details and application info available via IFAS.
Click here to apply.
Should you have any queries, email: projectofficer.faec@frenchinstitute.org.za
