Creativity has always been a defining force in Africa. It shows up in the way people tell stories, dress, celebrate, build brands and share ideas. It lives in our music that influences global genres, in our fashion that merges tradition with street culture, in the hyper-local language we use to describe the everyday, and in the creators who turn life into visual expression.
The continent has long been shaping culture, and South Africa is one of the places where that creative and cultural energy is fervently channelled into economic opportunity.
This past week Canva announced a deeper commitment to the region, recognising the cultural momentum that is already present across the country. With more than 260 million monthly users globally and over 77 million designs created by South Africans this year alone, the platform has become part of how people communicate, promote their work and build their creative identity.
The creative economy in Africa is expanding. Our cultural forces are no longer peripheral, but are beginning to shape global culture, offer alternative narratives, and build a new kind of international cultural footprint rooted in African identity.
Canva’s aim is to strengthen this cultural and creative engine by removing barriers and giving people access to tools that support the way they already create. The company’s mission is clear: Build one of the world’s most valuable companies and do the most good. That means scaling access, not gatekeeping it.
“Our mission has always been to empower the world to design, and that includes unlocking opportunity where it matters most. Africa is home to extraordinary creativity, energy, and potential, and we’re proud to deepen our commitment on the ground. Whether it’s teachers in South Africa, students in Kenya, or creators in Nigeria, we’re here to help local communities design, earn, and learn in ways that make sense for them.” – Duncan Clark, Head of EMEA, Canva
South Africa’s creative culture is wide-ranging. It spans the beadwork and textile traditions that have influenced global craft. It shows up in film, photography and visual art scenes that are growing in stature. It lives in Amapiano and Gqom, in high-fashion and streetwear, in the choreography that spreads across TikTok, the SMEs that find solutions despite the barriers, and in the creators who turn local humour and identity into visual content.
This creativity is part and parcel of who we are as a nation, but it also forms part of a continental movement where African culture is shaping global taste. According to the Brookings Africa Growth Initiative, Africa already produces close to 3 percent of the world’s creative exports, supports roughly 2 million creative jobs, and is rapidly gaining momentum. Our creativity across the continent continues to influence everything from global music to luxury design.
At the same time, the reality is that many creators and small businesses need access to tools that are affordable and easy to use. Many SMMEs operate on mobile. Many run their brands through WhatsApp channels and social media. Growing a business now requires strong visual content. Entrepreneurs need posters, menus, Instagram reels, product shots and presentation decks. Side hustles depend on digital visibility. Teachers rely on visual learning tools to engage students. Creators need design platforms that work on low data and any device.
Canva is investing in making this access possible. The company has opened a local office in Johannesburg and built a nine-person team dedicated to South Africa and the wider region. Canva supports 20 African languages including isiZulu, isiXhosa and Afrikaans, as well as Swahili, Shona and more, enabling creators to design in their mother tongue. Their business model relies on local input, ensuring that design offerings are in sync with cultural nuances, contextual needs and operational inclusivity.
Canva also includes localised templates, cultural imagery and seasonal collections inspired by African design and visual culture. Payment options are designed for local realities with mobile-first flexibility and local currency pricing. Across the continent, Canva has also introduced M-PESA and bank transfer payments to reach more users, as well as daily and weekly pricing plans in Kenya and Nigeria.
“Across Africa, creativity has never been in short supply — what’s often missing is access. This next chapter is about changing that. Whether it’s a young person designing from a township classroom or a creator turning their talent into income, we want Africans to feel like Canva was made with them and for them.” – Dr Mzamo Masito, Canva’s Africa Lead
Canva Africa’s investment into education is another pillar of this commitment. More than 100 million students and teachers use Canva globally, and the programme continues to expand across Africa with a recent MOU being signed with the Ministry of Education in Ethiopia. Canva’s Integration with Snapplify has enabled seamless access for more than 800,000 learners and 100,000 teachers across the continent.
Visual communication has become essential for teaching and learning. Canva for Education is free for teachers and students – and nonprofits – and is being used in classrooms across the region. In South Africa, partnerships with the University of Cape Town, the University of Johannesburg, Rhodes University and ADvTECH have already enabled thousands of students to access digital design tools, enabling and elevating their opportunities for growth across sectors.
For professional creators, freelancers and designers, Canva and Affinity offer more ways to produce world-class work. Affinity’s relaunch this year has already drawn more than 2 million signups, with South Africa ranking as one of the fastest-growing markets.
Created with leading designers across the globe and free for all, Affinity brings professional-grade design to a continent where mobile-led creativity is booming. With more than 300 million people worldwide now identifying as creators and Africa emerging as one of the fastest-growing creative regions, accessible professional tools allow our people to deliver layered, high-quality design work that stands up in local and international markets.
Canva has also opened new opportunities for creators to earn. The Canva Creator Programme allows designers, photographers and illustrators to generate royalties for their content. The Canva Africa Design Challenge invites creators to produce templates for small businesses and solopreneurs, with a share of USD 10 000 and mentorship and ‘Canvassador’ opportunities available to winners. This helps local creative talent gain visibility, earn royalties and reach a global audience – entries close on 15 December 2025.
The rise of the creator economy in South Africa is strong. Content creators are launching brands, musicians are building digital identities, designers are selling templates, photographers are showcasing their portfolios, SMMEs are building recognition, and so much more. These are not small shifts. They form part of a cultural wave that is driving influence across the continent and beyond.
“We are here to listen, understand and build with purpose. Our job is to give communities tools that help them express themselves and shape opportunity in ways that fit their world. This isn’t about bringing creativity to Africa. It is about backing the creativity that already drives this continent forward.” – Bianca Sibiya, Sub-Sahara Africa Marketing Lead at Canva
Canva’s long-term commitment is simple. Support the people and communities who are already shaping culture. Provide tools that open opportunities. Make design easier, faster and more accessible so that creativity can travel further.
Africa’s creative pulse is strong. Canva is here to strengthen it and share it with the world.
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