When you think about Africa’s creative economy – the young people turning creativity into careers, using content to shift culture and build communities – one name echoes with quiet yet profound consistency: Olufemi Oguntamu.
Olufemi has built Handle It Africa from what started as a simple conference into something far more expansive – a compass, a call to purpose, a platform. It’s where creators, thought leaders, and dreamers converge to learn, connect, support one another, and most importantly, to believe again.
When Olufemi launched Handle It Africa in 2017, it was more than a passion project, it was a response. A response to the chaos, misinformation, and lack of structure in the digital creator space. He envisioned a gathering that wouldn’t just discuss social media trends, but challenge creators to be intentional, to collaborate, and to access the resources they need to thrive.
Under his leadership, what was once a yearly event has grown into a lighthouse for creators, communicators, and everyday people seeking clarity, inspiration, and strategic guidance through its intimate and engaging sessions.
Over the years, Handle It Africa has done what many platforms only aspire to: it has built a community, sparked ideas, and changed lives. And in a continent where access often feels reserved for a privileged few, Olufemi and his team have carved out space for the many, amplifying creative voices and nurturing talents to their finest expressions.
Whether through the electrifying panels filled with continent’s brilliant minds or the quiet intimacy of breakout sessions, the ripple effect of each Handle It Africa edition is undeniable. Since its inception, over 5,000 people have passed through its doors, walking away informed, connected, and empowered. For some, it was the push to start a YouTube channel. For others, the confidence to pitch a brand. For many more, it was the beginning of daring to dream again.
And Olufemi isn’t stopping.
He understands, perhaps more than most, that the creator economy isn’t just about content, it’s about dignity, economic access, cultural expression, and the power to shape narratives. Through his media company, Penzaarville Africa, he has groomed some of Nigeria’s most celebrated digital creators, including everyone’s fave – Layi Wasabi, Kiekie, Diary of a Naija Girl, Broda Shaggi. Tayo Aina, Tomike Adeoye, proving again and again that with the right mix of strategy, support, and storytelling, greatness is inevitable.
Beyond the big names, Olufemi remains committed to democratizing success. Just recently, from Handle It Africa’s Women’s Day event which was in collaboration with The British Council, a young film producer, Temi-Ami Williams, walked away with a $1,000 grant to bring one of her creative ideas to life. This is what Olufemi is about: rewarding potential, fueling ambition, creating space.
Looking ahead, the vision is bigger, bolder, and more inclusive. Olufemi and his team are set to host more intimate and high-impact gatherings, targeted masterclasses, and funding initiatives that help creators not just start, but scale. His ultimate goal? To equip a generation with the tools to own their stories, monetize their craft, and shape Africa’s digital future with intentionality and pride.
As it is often said, one of the most powerful gifts you can give someone is belief. In Handle It Africa, Olufemi Oguntamu has given that gift – a container for belief, a home for possibility, and a springboard for dreams. And in doing so, he’s building a legacy.
