Julius Kyazze: Africa's Biggest Opportunity Is in Telling Its Own Stories

What the report says

Nile Post reports that Swangz Avenue co-founder Julius Kyazze is urging African creators to treat the continent’s undocumented histories, cultures and local heroes as both a cultural duty and a major economic opening. Kyazze argues that Africa has long absorbed narratives made elsewhere while many of its own communities, traditions and figures remain poorly recorded or interpreted by Africans themselves.

In the report, Kyazze says the issue goes beyond entertainment. He links storytelling to identity, heritage and ownership of how Africa is understood. He cites Ugandan historical figures such as Kabaka Mwanga and Omukama Kabalega as examples of subjects that deserve deeper exploration, not necessarily praise, but fuller context about their choices, times and lessons. He also points to wider questions across the continent, including shared language patterns, cultural connections and traditions whose origins may be lost if elders’ memories are not captured.

Kyazze is encouraging filmmakers, writers, journalists and online creators to use modern platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, podcasts and short videos, rather than relying only on books or formal documentaries. Nile Post frames his comments within growing interest in African creative industries, including music, film, publishing, streaming and digital content, where young creators are increasingly building audiences and careers.

The significance of his message is that storytelling is presented not just as preservation, but as an industry Africans can own. Kyazze’s view is that documenting ordinary lives, community practices and overlooked histories could help younger Africans understand neighbouring cultures while also creating livelihoods and shaping global perceptions of the continent.