New African Talent Agency Spotlights Kenya’s Shining Stars

African Speakers and Artists (AS+A) launches today with a mission to become East Africa’s leading speaker and artist bureau by representing the region’s standout talent drawn from the ranks of entertainers, artists and business speakers across a range of industries and disciplines.

Founder and CEO, George Issaias commented, “We are witnessing the emergence of world-class talent here in Africa at the same time as there is growing global demand for African expertise and input across a number of platforms from live events and festivals, to global media channels, and conferences. Alongside the need to match African talent with opportunities abroad, within East Africa itself, the continuing arrival of multi-national brands and the proliferation of events is creating huge demand for speakers, performers and commentators who reflect Africa’s growing confidence and pride in showcasing our home-grown talent.”

AS+A has assembled an impressive line-up of talent at launch including business innovators and leaders:

Erik Hersman – Technologist and Founder of Ushahidi and BRCK
Ashish Thakkar, Founder and CEO, Mara Group
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, Founder & CEO, SoleRebels Footwear
Ali Mufuruki, CEO Infotech Investment Group Ltd.
Jo Mucheru, Google Sub-Saharan Africa Ambassador & East Africa Lead

Saba Douglas Hamilton – Conservationist and TV Presenter

And from the world of entertainment:

Sauti Sol – Afro pop band (MTV Best African Act, and BET Best International Act Africa Award finalist)
Bill Salanga – AKA Blinky Bill, Artist, Producer and DJ

Eric Wainana – Singer songwriter
Just a Band – House/Funk/Disco
Emmanuel Jal – Musician and Political Activist

The agency summarises demand for talent into a number of key areas: Conference and after dinner speakers; artists and entertainers for events, festivals, ceremonies, concerts and personal appearances, hospitality appearances and award show mc’ing and hosting. Alongside the talent, AS+A will also offer clients world class creation, promotion and execution of proprietary events.

George Issaias added, “Consider President Obama’s visit to Kenya next month in the context of the world’s focus on and fascination with what is being tagged our ‘African Lion economy’, and it is easy to understand why demand for African voices is growing exponentially. In my international career in event management over the last decade, universal themes have emerged which we can address from our roster of inspirational speakers and performers. Chief among these are creativity and innovation, future & technology, leadership and diversity and of course environment, conservation and development.

Like many of our clients locally and internationally who are creating demand for our services, I am coming home to Kenya from an international career, and I have a passion to build a pan-African business from here.”