Policy Brief No. 13 of 2023-2024 on Empowering Creative Industries through Digital Readiness: The Role of Digital Infrastructure

Abstract

Digital infrastructure is important in driving employment within the dynamic landscape of creative industries. Undoubtedly, the creative industry has experienced disruption by technology in unimaginable, inspiring, and yet innovative ways. Digital technologies have transformed the creation, production, distribution, and consumption of creative content. Creatives have access to a remarkable set of tools to reach and cultivate audiences, patrons, and supporters. Additionally, there are more ways to create, collaborate, and connect with peers, partners, and audiences. And yet, digital technology offers an avenue to creating a successful and resilient creatives industry capable of creating gainful employment. Use of digital technologies in the creative industries can be used to foster economic growth and job creation towards building a robust business environment. The most recent acknowledgment and attempt to capitalize on the potential of the Creative Industry to create employment is through the Talanta Hela initiative, which was launched in June 2023. The initiative, which is part of the Government’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda seeks to identify, recruit, nurture, market and monetize talent. To fully enjoy and capitalize on the benefits of a transformed creative industry, a good digital infrastructure base is fundamental. Robust and efficient digital technology is built upon and dependent on good and capable digital infrastructure.