The Creative Hustlers’ Bazaar: A Marketplace with Soul

July 15, 2025

A marketplace scene with people shopping, colorful products displayed, and a vendor assisting customers. — Creative interacting with customers

On Saturday, 21st June 2025, Kampala was buzzing with colour, creativity, and community spirit as hundreds gathered for the Creative Hustlers’ Bazaar - a showcase of Uganda’s most daring creative entrepreneurs and their innovations. More than 150 vendors set up shop at the Creative Hustlers’ Bazaar that drew in hundreds of attendees to celebrate the ingenuity of Uganda’s creativeprenuers. The atmosphere at the Bazaar hosted at the Innovation District in the heart of Industrial Area was electric, filled with a vibrant fusion of sights, sounds, and stories that captured the spirit of Uganda’s creative economy.

Stalls brimmed with imagination and intention: hand-stitched garments that told cultural stories, upcycled jewelry crafted with care, tech-powered crafts - blending tradition with innovation and eco-conscious decor, that reimagined waste as beauty. Afro-fusion cuisines and gourmet bites offered a taste of Uganda’s culinary creativity, meanwhile live DJs and breakout musicians provided the soundtrack for a day of discovery and connection.

Two men engage while examining colorful artwork at a market stall. — Creative interacting with client

The Creative Hustlers’ Bazaar brought it all together, it was more than a feast for the senses. It was a powerful reflection of Uganda’s vibrant creative economy and the bold ambitions fuelling it – with each booth telling a unique story, not just about sales, but partnerships, purpose and possibility. It was a manifestation of the ressolve of young women and men to translate their imagination into income and sustenance. The opportunity to meet with other creators, presenting an opportunity for motivation and showcasing the range of skills which translate into the crafts that were widely visible.

The event did not just support entrepreneurs; it created an ecosystem of trust, learning, and inspiration, the exact kind of environment where innovation thrives. The Bazaar was more than a marketplace; it was a movement. One that dared to believe that creativity is more than a pastime. It is a pathway to prosperity.

A man and a woman converse at a market stall, surrounded by various bags.

“The Bazaar was more than just a market; it was a celebration of possibility. I left with loads of merchandise, several business cards, and a notebook full of ideas.”- Abdourahmane Dia, UNDP Uganda Operations Advisor.

The Bigger Picture: Why Creative Economies Matter
What happened at the Creative Hustlers’ Bazaar is part of a larger, global shift. Across the world, creative economies - encompassing film, music, fashion, design, crafts, digital content, gaming, architecture and more - are emerging as powerful engines of economic resilience, youth empowerment, and cultural diplomacy. These industries are not only preserving heritage and shaping national identities, but also creating jobs, boosting exports, and attracting investment.

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) generate almost USD 2.3 trillion in annual revenues globally, accounting for 3.1 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). CCIs employ nearly 50 million people, representing 6.2 percent of total employment worldwide. Women hold half of these jobs. CCIs also employs more youth than in any other sector. 

In 2022, exports of creative goods reached USD 713 billion, a 19 percent increase from 2017. This growth is part of a larger trend, with creative services exports surging to USD 1.4 trillion, a 29 percent increase since 2017. These figures underscore the rising global demand for cultural content and innovation, driven by technological advancement, increased connectivity, and a growing appreciation for diverse cultural expressions.

In Africa, the momentum is equally compelling. The continent now ranks fifth largest globally. In 2023, the continent accounted for 1.5 percent of the global creative economy and 2.9 percent of global creative exports (UNDP 2023). A 2024 report by consulting firm Condia (2024) estimates that 5 million people were employed in Africa’s CCIs. This growth is fuelled by a young, digitally connected population, increasing demand for authentic local content, and the rise of platforms that democratize access to global markets.  Looking ahead, UNESCO projects that these industries can generate about USD 20 billion annually in revenues and could create more than 20 million work opportunities across the continent.  

A diverse group of six people, smiling and posing together under a tent at an outdoor event. — Buyers enjoying the sights, sounds, and stalls of the bazaar

Uganda is home to a vibrant and fast-growing creative industry powered by young entrepreneurs and artists who are redefining innovation and cultural expression. In recent years, the industry has emerged as one of the country’s most dynamic engines of growth, blending tradition with technology to create new economic opportunities. According to national statistics, Uganda’s creative sector employs over 400,000 people, accounting for 1.3 percent of the total labour force. 67 percent of those employed in the CCIs are youth making it a strategic sector for tackling youth unemployment and fostering inclusive development.

With low barriers to entry and high potential for innovation and export, creative industries offer real pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and income generation particularly for youth, women and vulnerable communities. They foster local value chains, stimulate cross-sector collaboration, and unlock new markets through digital platforms and cultural exports. Far from being peripheral, creative industries are central to inclusive growth and sustainable development, offering a dynamic intersection of economic opportunity, cultural expression, and social impact.

Display of colorful bags with various designs at a vibrant market stall. — Bags made out of sisal and cloth on display

“I’ve been selling online for a year, but this was the first time I got to meet my customers in person. Seeing people appreciate my work in real time was surreal!”

Mirembe Joan, an artisan jeweller.

A smiling vendor presents a wooden game board to a woman and a child at a market. — Creative showcasing wooden games

Empowering Creative Changemakers

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is unlocking the power of the creative economy to tackle unemployment, reduce inequality, and drive inclusive growth. In Uganda and across the region, UNDP is building both physical and digital platforms where young innovators can connect, collaborate, and thrive. This is not charity. It is strategy and smart development. Because investing in creativity means investing in jobs, dignity and sustainable futures.

Uganda’s youth are not waiting for opportunities. They are creating them. The Creative Hustlers’ Bazaar was living proof of what happens when raw talent meets the right support: innovation takes root, confidence rises, and new economies begin to emerge. It was not just an event. It was a glimpse into a future where young Ugandans are not just job seekers, but job creators. A future where culture fuels commerce, and creativity drives development.

As the sun set over Kampala, what lingered was not just the rhythm of the music or the energy of the marketplace. It was a shared belief that this is just the beginning. A message to policymakers, funders, and communities: Uganda’s creative economy is vibrant, visionary, and ready to lead. Let us build on this momentum. Let us keep hustling creatively.

Create. Hustle. Connect.

By Nicholas Burunde and Michelle Jacqueline Awak