Ogilvy Africa Unveils HerFolio to Empower Female Creatives Across Africa
Delna Sethna, Chief Creative Officer – Ogilvy Africa Network (R) and Adrian Jankowiak, Design Director & Nairobi Design Week Founder (L), interact with an exhibitor at the launch of the HerFolio platform during Nairobi Design Week at The Waterfront Karen.
The Ogilvy Africa Network has launched HerFolio, a groundbreaking platform aimed at elevating and connecting female creatives across Africa. Unveiled during Nairobi Design Week, the initiative seeks to bridge the gender opportunity gap in the creative industry by providing visibility and access to career-defining opportunities.
Research indicates that 75 percent of female creatives lack the same career opportunities as their male counterparts, with another 75 percent struggling to secure high-paying projects not due to a lack of talent, but because existing systems fail to support them.
HerFolio aims to change this reality by offering a dedicated online space for female designers, musicians, performing artists, and other creative professionals to showcase their work.The platform supports various content formats, including high-resolution videos, images, and audio files, ensuring that creatives can present their portfolios in a compelling and professional manner.
By providing an easily accessible hub for showcasing talent, HerFolio enhances visibility and opens doors to new collaborations and projects.HerFolio will serve as a talent hub for The Ogilvy Africa Network and other organizations seeking diverse creative professionals. The initiative spans 39 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, fostering cross-cultural collaborations and promoting diverse representation in the creative economy.
“We believe in the immense talent of female creatives in Africa, and we’re committed to providing them with a platform to share their work and gain the recognition they deserve,” said Delna Sethna, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy Africa Network. “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t. HerFolio is our answer to this imbalance creating a space where female creative professionals can thrive and connect with brands, agencies, and collaborators who value their unique perspectives.”
Sethna also announced three internship opportunities within the Ogilvy Africa Network for promising female creatives. She confirmed that the selection process would involve a review of portfolios submitted to HerFolio, with the creative team evaluating submissions throughout Nairobi Design Week and announcing selected candidates after the event.
Speaking at the launch, Adrian Jankowiak, Design Director & Founder of Nairobi Design Week, emphasized the significance of the partnership.
“Nairobi Design Week is committed to championing diverse voices and fostering an inclusive design ecosystem. Our collaboration with The Ogilvy Africa Network perfectly embodies this mission, providing a powerful platform for female creatives to shape the future of design.”
Vikas Mehta, Chief Executive Officer SSA, Ogilvy Africa Network, highlighted the collaboration’s impact, stating, “Our partnership with Nairobi Design Week for the launch of HerFolio represents a powerful collaboration between two key players in Africa’s creative world. Together, we’re creating meaningful pathways for female creative talent to thrive across the continent.”
HerFolio is now open for female creatives to register, showcase their portfolios, and access job opportunities and project collaborations. Meanwhile, Nairobi Design Week, running from March 9th to 16th, features an extensive showcase of design works from Kenyan and international designers, celebrating the intersection of tradition and innovation in the African creative landscape.
