There’s something electric about a room full of dreamers—and at the 2026 launch of ELEV8, that energy was impossible to ignore.
From chart-topping artists to fast-rising digital creators, the night felt less like a documentary screening and more like a celebration of Kenya’s creative future.
Hosted by music producer and mogul Morris Kobia, better known as Motif Di Don, in partnership with NCBA Bank, the event brought together the faces shaping culture right now—and the institutions backing their rise.
Kenyan stars, including Sssaru, Fathermoh, Kimanzi, Cera Imani, Beverly Kwamboka, Sean MMG, Harry Craze, Ndovu Kuu, and Motif Di Don himself, graced the documentary launch, turning the screening into a true cultural moment.
At the heart of the evening was the ELEV8 2025 Series Documentary—a powerful showcase of how Kenya’s creative economy is evolving into a key driver of youth employment and innovation.
More than just storytelling, the documentary highlighted how targeted financial solutions, mentorship, and industry collaboration are helping creatives turn passion into sustainable careers.
As a strategic partner throughout the ELEV8 journey, NCBA has played a pivotal role in supporting creatives through visibility, mentorship, and the introduction of tailored financial products designed to help them generate income, finance their work, and scale their enterprises.
Recognising that many creatives operate within informal structures and face challenges accessing traditional financing, NCBA, in partnership with HEVA Fund, developed credit solutions aligned with the realities of creative work—where income is often irregular and project-based.
These financing solutions are designed to unlock growth across the entire creative value chain.
The products enable creatives and creative businesses to access capital for production, equipment acquisition, marketing, touring, digital distribution, and overall business growth.
The financing solutions include:
Event Financing – A revolving credit facility enabling creatives to fund live and digital events and monetize performances.
Invoice Discounting – Providing working capital by allowing creatives to access funds against confirmed invoices and contracts.
LPO Financing – Supporting execution of contracts and production agreements.
Working Capital Financing – Helping creative enterprises sustain operations and expand.
Start-Up Incubator Financing – Supporting emerging creative entrepreneurs in building structured and scalable businesses.
Through these solutions, creatives are empowered to move beyond project-to-project survival into structured income generation and long-term financial stability.
NCBA’s investment in the creative economy is grounded in its Ubuntu belief—the idea that individual success is deeply connected to community prosperity. The bank sees creatives not just as artists, but also as entrepreneurs, employers, storytellers, and economic drivers capable of shaping inclusive growth across Kenya.
With the creative economy contributing over 5.3% to Kenya’s GDP and supporting more than 300,000 entrepreneurs, access to financing remains the sector’s biggest hurdle.
By tailoring financial products specifically for creatives, NCBA is actively bridging this gap—bringing more artists into the formal financial system and enabling them to earn sustainably, create jobs, and compete on a global stage.
Speaking during the screening, NCBA Group Managing Director, John Gachora, said, “Our Ubuntu belief reminds us that progress happens when we grow together. Supporting the creative economy means investing in young people, innovation, and culture as engines of economic transformation. Through ELEV8 and our tailored financial solutions, we are helping creatives move from passion to profitable enterprise.”
For participating artists, ELEV8 has gone beyond exposure—offering studio access, mentorship, financial literacy training, and industry visibility. It’s a holistic approach that equips creatives with both artistic and entrepreneurial skills.
Reflecting on the journey and what lies ahead, Motif Di Don shared, “ELEV8 is about building sustainable careers. The next season builds on what we have learned, ensuring creatives have not just talent and exposure, but the financial tools needed to thrive.”
The documentary captures real transformations—artists evolving from raw talent into structured creative businesses.
And with the launch of ELEV8 2026, the vision only grows bigger: deeper industry collaboration, expanded mentorship, and continued access to financial empowerment tools.
Ultimately, the initiative aligns with NCBA’s broader sustainability agenda under its Change the Story commitment—delivering inclusive solutions that uplift communities and unlock economic participation for youth and creative entrepreneurs.
By blending storytelling, mentorship, and access to finance, ELEV8 is not just documenting success—it’s actively creating it.
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