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Kenya's creative and cultural industries have received a major financial boost following the launch of a groundbreaking KSh 644 million ($5 million) investment by HEVA Fund.
This initiative introduces two financial products, Ota Kopa and Ota Kopa Plus, designed to address the financial gap in the creative sector.
Developed in partnership with four financial service providers (FSPs) and two aggregator platforms, is set to benefit at least 7,000 creatives, with a deliberate focus on young women.
The goal is to empower creative businesses by expanding access to capital and providing financial advisory services.
HEVA Fund’s Managing Partner, Wakiuru Njuguna, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, “We are delighted to partner with Longitude Capital, Tenakata Ltd, Kenya Bankers Sacco, Lipa Later Ltd, Shop Zetu, and Wowzi to distribute KSh 644 million to individuals and enterprises in the cultural and creative industries. Our aim is to bridge the financial gap, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Kenya’s creative sector.”
The Ota Kopa product allows creatives to borrow up to KSh 999,999, while Ota Kopa Plus offers larger funding ranging from KSh 1 million to KSh 4,999,999.
The financing targets three key creative value chains, 1. Fashion, Garments, and Accessories, 2. Film, Television, Content Creation, Gaming, and Audio-Visual and 3. Live Music, Theatre, and Performing Arts.
Creatives eligible for the funding include content creators, filmmakers, musicians, photographers, make-up artists, game developers, and fashion designers, among others.
HEVA and its partners have implemented a deliberate inclusion strategy, ensuring that at least 70% of beneficiaries are young women, 10% are refugees, and 5% are people with disabilities. This approach aims to democratise financial access for marginalized groups within the creative economy.
“We want to ensure that no creative in our target industries is left behind,” Njuguna added. “This fund is not just about financing, it’s about enabling creatives to realize their potential and make meaningful contributions to the economy.”
The creative industry has long struggled with limited financial access, restricting its growth potential despite its capacity to drive employment and economic development.
By launching these innovative financial products, HEVA Fund seeks to rewrite the narrative and establish a sustainable funding model for creatives in Kenya and beyond.
Speaking on behalf of the financial service providers, Michael Monari of Longitude Capital emphasised the sector’s potential.
He stated, “There is a tremendous need for financial support in the creative sector. Our goal is to challenge existing biases and demonstrate that this industry can provide sustainable and dignified livelihoods.”
HEVA has successfully raised $42 million (KSh 5.4 billion) through strategic partnerships, investing directly in over 120 creative enterprises and projects across Eastern Africa.
Additionally, HEVA has built technical capacity for over 14,000 creative practitioners and developed influential research that informs policy and investment decisions.
With Ota Kopa and Ota Kopa Plus, HEVA is set to further transform the creative landscape, ensuring that financing is no longer a barrier to success for Kenyan creatives.
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