This archive report was first published on 29 November 2019.
Bookings Africa, a Nigerian talent marketplace for creatives, has made its mark in Kenya, marking a significant step towards leveraging technology to disrupt and revolutionize the way talent is sourced in the lifestyle, entertainment, and media industries across Africa.
Launched after a successful fundraising round and the introduction of its mobile apps, Bookings Africa's expansion into East Africa's largest economy is expected to bring about a paradigm shift in the way talent is sourced and utilized.
According to Fadé Ogunro, CEO of Bookings Africa, the platform was inspired by her own experiences as a producer in the media industry for over a decade. 'I believe Africa is the future, yet, the biggest problem we face is unemployment. Bookings Africa tackles this issue by enabling millions of freelancers gain recognition, monetize their talent, and build a sustainable career on their own terms.'
Users can create a personal profile, upload their work portfolio, set their own rates, and manage their business better with guaranteed payments, all at the tap of a button. The platform was designed to address the limitations Ogunro experienced while sourcing creatives across the continent, which she found to be expensive, time-consuming, and inefficient.
UnicornGroup invested an undisclosed sum in Bookings Africa to help the firm build a strong technology-led and scalable business. Mayowa Ayodele, Chief Investment Officer of UnicornGroup, stated, 'We believe that investing in Bookings Africa has the potential to revolutionize a highly fragmented industry and positively impact lives.'
Founded in 2018, Bookings Africa's mission is to unlock the earning potential of talents and catalyze commerce across Africa. Through its marketplace, clients can hire service providers such as models, makeup artists, voiceover artists, DJs, filming locations, and much more at the tap of a button.
