FROM RISK TO RESILIENCE: UNLOCKING AFRICA’S CREATIVE ECONOMY POTENTIAL

I’M
MIKE
MUTENYO.

Africa’s creative economy, rich in cultural diversity and youth-driven innovation, presents a tremendous potential for growth, with the continent’s digital economy projected to expand sixfold by 2050, reaching $712 billion. This burgeoning sector could create 20 million jobs and generate $20 billion in annual revenue, according to UNESCO. To fully capitalize on this opportunity, it is crucial to empower creatives by equipping them with essential skills, mentorship, and access to networks that foster economic sustainability. Through targeted training and strategic opportunities, I help transform talent into viable careers, ensuring that African creatives are not only ready to thrive in this expanding market but also to shape global culture.

WORK WITH ME

Meet Me.

The brand guru

BUILDER.

I am Co-Founder of Terazo New Media and Founder of Upeo Talent Agency (UTA). In my role at Terazo New Media, Africa’s leading entertainment PR agency, I serve clients in music, sports, TV, radio, and film across Africa. At Upeo Talent Agency, I mentor and manage careers of musicians, music producers, elite athletes, leaders of society, actors, speakers, and content creators, helping them build lasting, impactful careers.

CONNECTOR.

I prepare and connect creative talent with business opportunities by leveraging my network. As the founder of the Alliance for Innovation and Creative Opportunities (AICO), a capacity-building programme, I train and mentor young creatives. Through AICO, I provide essential training in branding, publicity, digital literacy, business skills, and financial management, helping emerging talents navigate the business side of the creative industry.

INDUSTRY SHAPER.

Today, I consult extensively in over 10 African markets, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa. I spend much of my time engaging with senior African policymakers and companies, working in the creative and youth development sectors on matters related to creative entrepreneurship, the music business, youth affairs, and the creative industries.

Gallery

WORK, MEDIA AND EVENTS
2023 Trace Music Awards, Kigali – Rwanda
2023 Trace Music Awards, Kigali – Rwanda
Media Training Session
KBC TV Interview
Itel S24 Mobile Phone Launch
Jamhuri Day Celebrations
EAEA Music Awards
100K YouTube Subscribers Button For Client Ali Mukhwana
Creative Entrepreneurship Podcast – Kuza Mziki
Itel S24 Mobile Phone Launch With Client Celestine Gachuhi
Madaraka Day Celebrations
Creative Entrepreneurship Masterclass
Talent Management Contract Signing
Music Industry Mixer
Past Client Guardian Angel
With Brand Strategy Client Ferdinand Omanyala
Creative Entrepreneurship Workshop Courtesy of the Permanent Presidential Music Commission
With Brand Strategy Client Athlete Mark Otieno

TV & Radio Interviews

Regularly, I speak and share perspective in Kenyan media on the creative economy.
Mike Mutenyo on KBC TV – Branding Basics For Musicians 
Mike Mutenyo on Nation FM
Mike Mutenyo on KBC TV – The Role Of Talent Managers In The Creative Economy
Mike Mutenyo on KBC TV – PR & Branding For Musicians 
Mike Mutenyo on Nation FM
Mike Mutenyo on Elevate TV

Print & Digital

Regularly, I share perspective in Kenyan media on the creative economy.
People Daily Highlight, 27th Sept 2024Read Here…
People Daily Highlight, 13th Sept 2024Read Here…

Author

I authored the book “How To Be Your Own Music Publicist” (2017)

I authored the book How To Be Your Own Music Publicist (2017), a vital resource for independent musicians on how to release, market, and publicize their music projects when they don’t have a publicist or the budget to hire one.

ACCESS THE EBOOK HERE

Testimonials

Feedback From Our Clients
Jacktone Otieno
    Jacktone Otieno

    Media & Events Expert

    The best Artist Manager in Africa I know of. Mike has great experience working with various artists and organizations and helped them build solid brands. His knowledge about music business is vast and his branding and management skills in the industry are unmatched. You can trust him to add value to your brand.

    Ali Mukhwana
      Ali Mukhwana

      Musician

      Three key traits of a good brand manager are professionalism, consistency and persistence. Mike has them and this has played a big role in the many milestones that my career has hit since 2021.

      Janet Otieno
        Janet Otieno

        Musician

        A passionate creative thinker and an excellent leader. I am yet to meet a person so knowledgabele about the music industry like Mike. His strategies and execution are out of this world.

        Nonsizi Agnes
          Nonsizi Agnes

          Media Personality

          Mike knows his job too well. From personal branding, digital strategy, project management and brand management, my brand has hugely benefited from his special skills and I would vouch for him any day, any time.

          Amos Njeru
            Amos Njeru

            Radio Producer – Nation FM

            On point and highly recommended, Mike has been at forefront of my career in the media space for over 6 years now and his knowledge,skills and experience has always been very instrumental. Try him today

            Producer Kevin
              Producer Kevin

              Multimedia Producer – Royal Media Services

              Mike is not only an exceptional brand guru but a great business minded guy who will push to achieve your goals. Every talent he has touched it has turned into Gold, and you can agree with me its evident with everyone he has worked with. I highly endorse.

              Dr. Donald Otoyo
                Dr. Donald Otoyo

                Director, Permanent Presidential Music Commission

                Your go to brand manager, Mike’s zeal to help brands grow is unmatched. The best.

                DJ Pinye
                  DJ Pinye

                  Pioneer Kenyan DJ, Events Curator & Mentor

                  Mike is a rare one, too gifted and it’s an honor to work with such a gifted mind.

                  Kuza Mziki Podcast

                  A Creative Entrepreneurship PODCAST
                  Watch Season 1 of the Kuza Mziki Podcast

                  About AICO

                  transformING CREATIVE talent into viable careers

                  AICO FAQs

                  COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT AICO
                  WHAT IS IT ABOUT

                  Powered by Upeo Talent Agency, AICO (Alliance for Innovation and Creative Opportunities) is a capacity building program led by Mike Mutenyo. AICO focuses on training and empowering young talent in the creative arts, equipping them with essential business knowledge, branding and PR skills, digital literacy, and financial literacy. This initiative aims to mentor and guide creatives in managing their careers more effectively by providing the tools they need to succeed in the competitive entertainment and creative industries. Our goal is to foster growth in the creative economy by ensuring that young talent is not only artistically skilled but also business-savvy, enabling them to build sustainable careers in the creative arts.

                  HOW ARE THE TRAININGS DONE, WHEN AND WHERE

                  AICO delivers these skills through workshops, masterclasses, and seminars, which are held on the last Friday of every month for three hours, from 11 AM to 2 PM. The venue is typically communicated via our social media pages (@aico.africa), so please keep checking regularly.

                  WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS

                  These trainings are free of charge. There is no need for prior sign-up; registration is done at the venue once the participants arrive.