Research | British Council

Karmakol International Fashion Festival ©
Maganga Mwagogo

Research informs all of our East Africa Arts programmes.

In 2014 the British Council commissioned a scoping study of art sectors in East Africa focusing on Creative Economy, Music and Visual Arts. The countries involved were Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia with a variety of stakeholders taking part including but not limited to artists, producers, commentators and cultural enthusiasts. The exercise produced three reports which, along with desk research and learnings from previous programmes, informed the creation of our East Africa Arts programme.

Here we share these reports, as well as further research we have commissioned in order to provide essential data for the creative economy’s in East Africa and the UK, and to further inform our on-going programmes.

We hope you find the research useful! Do get in touch with any thoughts.

You can also discover more global research undertaken by the British Council here.

And learn more about our global Creative Economy work here.

In this section

Creative Economy Scoping Report

This research answers what is happening in the creative economy, audiovisual and technology sectors in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania and who some of the key players/organisations are.

Contemporary African Arts Report

This research focuses on the ethnic and cultural diversity of the existing audiences for contemporary African arts and culture.

Cultural Skills East Africa Arts Research

From museums to music, fashion to film, the skills that support the artistic process are essential to the development of a thriving cultural sector

Heva Forum: Rwanda Scoping Trip

Researchers meet with local fashion designers and other value chain players to get a deeper understanding of the sector in Rwanda.

Heva Ethiopia Scoping Report

There is a vibrant and thriving local design scene, creating beautiful garments and leather goods, as well as silver and gold accessories that marry Ethiopia's traditional aesthetics

Scoping the Visual Arts Scene in East Africa

This is the report of the findings of a scoping study of the visual arts sector in East Africa;Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania

Scoping the East Africa Music Sector

The region offers incredible opportunities to create exciting new work and musicians would benefit hugely from collaborating with international artists.