Street art, once dismissed as urban rebellion or fleeting graffiti, is now carving out a legitimate place in Africa’s creative economy. Painted walls and expressive murals have become a mirror of social realities and a statement of identity. The transformation of this once-underground practice into a recognised cultural and economic driver signals a significant shift in how creativity, heritage and commerce intersect on the continent.
According to the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report (2024), total global art sales declined by 4 per cent in 2023, reaching an estimated US$65 billion amid high interest rates and global economic uncertainty. Yet, despite the contraction in value, the volume of transactions rose by 4 per cent to 39.4 million sales, the highest level since 2019. This indicates a shift in buyer behaviour toward smaller, more affordable works, signalling a broader move toward inclusivity within the global art market.
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This evolving trend has created new opportunities for African artists, particularly those working in contemporary and street art, whose creations are increasingly valued for their cultural resonance and social commentary rather than just monetary worth.
Data from ArtTactic further highlights this momentum, showing that African artists now account for auction sales exceeding US$72 million annually, more than double the figure recorded in 2016. Notably, female African artists are leading this growth. In 2024, they represented 52.8 per cent of total African art auction sales, despite an overall market slowdown. Among these trailblazers is Julie Mehretu, whose works continue to command top-tier prices, with one piece fetching US$5.8 million at auction.
Africa’s creative industries are entering an era of rapid expansion. The African Development Bank estimates that the continent’s cultural and creative industries generate over US $13 billion annually, accounting for about 2.5 per cent of the global market as of early 2024. This figure is expected to rise as investment flows increase. The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) projects that the creative economy could exceed US $20 billion by 2030 if current trends persist.
Street art sits at the intersection of this growth, accessible, youth-driven and deeply connected to local communities. Unlike the exclusive confines of galleries, murals and graffiti transform ordinary spaces into open-air exhibitions that can reach millions daily. Cities such as Lagos and Accra have embraced street art festivals and residencies, giving artists platforms that transcend the streets while drawing tourism and investment.
The African art market overall is projected to reach US $1.5 billion by 2025, supported by a thriving network of collectors, digital platforms and international auctions. Contemporary African art sales have increased steadily in global markets, with African works featured prominently at Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams. Street artists, too, are beginning to share in this momentum, bridging the gap between grassroots expression and global recognition.
Walls That Speak
Beyond economics, African street art embodies the soul of the streets, a visual dialogue that gives voice to the voiceless. Murals in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal and Nigeria have turned public spaces into storytelling platforms. These paintings chronicle everything from colonial legacies and gender rights to migration, identity and environmental justice.
In Conakry, Guinea, the Senegalese artist Omar Diaw, popularly known as Chimère, used murals to spread public health messages during the COVID-19 pandemic and later to address themes of migration and hope. In Lagos, the Osa Seven Foundation collaborates with government agencies to promote community murals that celebrate Nigerian history and inspire civic pride. In Accra, the annual Chale Wote Street Art Festival now draws over 30,000 visitors annually, combining performance, painting and music in a celebration of African creativity that injects millions of cedis into Ghana’s local economy.
Street art, therefore, is more than aesthetic. It is an instrument of social reflection, a mirror through which communities process their struggles, celebrate resilience and reclaim urban spaces.
The Economics of Street Creativity
As global collectors and investors expand their interest in emerging markets, Africa’s street art represents an untapped segment with dual value: cultural authenticity and commercial potential. Data from the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) indicates that the global creative economy, including art, has shown strong growth, with a surge in creative services exports and a steady increase in creative goods exports, in which developing countries are increasingly participating. Crafts and design grew by nearly 10 per cent year-on-year, despite a turbulent global economy.
Corporate brands have also begun to notice. In Nigeria, major telecom and beverage companies are commissioning street murals as part of advertising and social impact campaigns. Across Senegal and Ghana, urban regeneration projects use murals to revitalise neglected neighbourhoods, blending aesthetics with community upliftment. Each brushstroke not only beautifies the city but also drives economic engagement through tourism, merchandising and digital exposure.
However, the sector still lacks institutional frameworks for intellectual property, artist remuneration and preservation. Many African street artists operate informally, which limits their access to funding and international partnerships. Governments and private stakeholders must therefore formalise and protect the creative ecosystem to ensure sustainability.
The Challenge of Recognition and Regulation
The conversation about African street art’s legitimacy is not merely aesthetic but institutional. While cities like Johannesburg and Nairobi have developed mural programmes under urban renewal projects, many West African municipalities still treat graffiti as vandalism. This legal ambiguity restricts creative freedom and deters young artists.
Cultural policymakers must design legislation that distinguishes between destructive graffiti and sanctioned public art, creating pathways for professional practice. Partnerships between municipal governments, art councils and private sponsors could ensure that public art becomes both celebrated and protected. If appropriately regulated, street art could contribute to city branding, tourism and heritage conservation while empowering communities through public participation.
Reimagining the Urban Canvas
As Africa’s cities expand, urban populations are projected to surpass 900 million by 2035, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). The role of art in shaping urban identity will grow even more crucial. Street art can humanise concrete, turning sprawling cityscapes into living galleries that express collective aspirations.
Globally, market reports project the art tourism market to reach around US$54.89 billion by 2030, growing from US$45.22 billion in 2024, and Africa’s creative destinations are increasingly part of this growth. Street art districts in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Dakar and Lagos are already featuring in international travel itineraries and cultural guides. Investing in street art infrastructure, such as mural festivals, digital art maps, and artist residencies, could create thousands of jobs across Africa’s creative economy.
Towards Recognition and Sustainability
The challenge now is to translate visibility into value. Philanthropies and cultural funds should integrate street art into creative grants, while academia must document and preserve its evolving history. Local governments should commission murals as civic heritage projects, ensuring they are maintained and monetised responsibly.
Moreover, the digital transformation of art through NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and online exhibitions provides street artists with new opportunities to commercialise their work beyond geography. African digital art platforms such as ArtX Lagos Online and Arthouse Contemporary are already experimenting with this fusion of street creativity and technology.
The resurgence of street art in West Africa represents more than a visual trend; it is a cultural awakening intertwined with economics, identity and urban renewal. With the global art market valued at US$65 billion and Africa’s creative industries moving toward US$1.5 billion by 2025, the time to take African street art seriously has never been more opportune.
