About FYNICC
A legacy
A legacy
A child of the Medina who became a global star, a successful businessman and a charismatic figure of contemporary Africa, Youssou NDOUR, now wants to pass on the fruits of his encounters and experiences, fulfil a need and leave a lasting legacy: an international foundation dedicated to the cultural and creative industries (CCI) to enable young African talent to develop and thrive.
…for young people
…for young people
The Youssou Ndour Foundation for Cultural and Creative Industries (FYNICC)
- Aims to support and catalyse the vast potential of the creative and cultural industries in Africa and around the world to build fairer and more open societies.
- Promotes sustainable collaborations between players in the cultural and creative industries and in a decompartmentalised approach, beyond national borders and contexts.
- Works to support and promote the creation of jobs for young people in the CCI.
Objectives
Objectives
The FYNICC pursues the following objectives:
- Job creation and capacity building: offering training, resources and mentoring programmes to formalise creative employment, helping young creatives develop their businesses and contributing to job creation in the CCI;
- Cultural exchanges: Foster collaboration between African and European artists, designers, creatives and entrepreneurs through its structured network.
- Innovation in the creative and technological industries: promote the use of technology (AI, 3D printing, virtual reality, etc.) to enable African creatives to expand internationally.
- Sustainable practices: Encourage eco-responsible and sustainable approaches in the CCIs.
- Dialogue and advocacy: promote intercultural dialogue, diversity and cultural production as drivers of social inclusion and sustainable human development.
Context
Context
The CCI, key figures
- 7% of world GDP;
- $2,000 billion in annual revenue
- $1 spent = $2.5 of wealth for the economy
- 50 million jobs worldwide among 15-29 year olds
- 10% of world GDP by 2030
source: www.ifc.org/en/what-we-do/sector-expertise/creative-industries
In Africa:
- Huge potential in terms of job creation for young people;
- Informal sector in Africa
- Predominance of micro-enterprises and low-wage actors
- Lack of qualification pathways, co-creation pathways, international forums.
The Foundation will help bring together creators, the private sector and public institutions to unlock the potential of this dynamic and promising ecosystem.
Transcontinental hub
Transcontinental hub
FYNICC is organised as a transcontinental hub:
- CAMPUS: Dakar. It will be the central hub for innovation, incubation, and cultural exchanges. The YND Factory will host co-creation, innovation, and training laboratories, featuring specialised spaces dedicated to fashion-tech, digital arts, music production, sports, and more. The launch is scheduled for 2027.
- BASES: Marrakech, Kinshasa, Abidjan, Cotonou. Focused on local ecosystems, these bases will specialise in sectors such as film production, sustainable fashion, and digital arts. Development is planned from 2030 onwards.
- HEAD OFFICE: Dakar and Brussels. Serving as the administrative and strategic centre, it houses general management, international partnerships, fundraising activities, and European initiatives. Connected to the Myriad network—a major player in global philanthropy— the headquarters acts as the connecting point between investors, public institutions, and African and European creatives.
Governance
Governance
International Advisory Board
Composed of globally renowned figures, it strengthens the visibility of the project and amplifies its impact at both African and international levels.
Strategic and Finance Committee
Responsible for fundraising strategy, financial management, and philanthropic partnerships. Its chair also serves on the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors
Chaired by YND, it defines FYNICC’s strategic orientations and oversees all operations.
An Honorary Presidency is assigned to a member of the International Advisory Board for a renewable 12-month term.
Executive Structure
- Executive Directorate manages the day-to-day operations of the Foundation.
- Programme Managers oversee grants, mentorship programmes, and partnerships.
- Legal & Compliance Team ensures all funding and partnerships comply with regulatory frameworks.
- Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Team measures impact and ensures transparency in the allocation of funds.
- Communications & Events Team manages FYNICC’s communications and the organisation of events (FORAFRICC, TALKS, etc.).
Note: Aside from the Board of Directors, the remaining bodies are currently in the process of being constituted. The future composition of the Board will be adjusted accordingly.
Team and contact
Team and contact
The Youssou N’Dour Foundation for Cultural and Creative Industries is a foundation under Belgian private law, founded on 6 April 2022.
It is composed of the following administrators:
- Youssou NDour: President (Dakar)
- Nicolas Esgain: Managing Director (Brussels)
- Michelle Makaroff: Administrator (Brussels)
- Momar Dieng Diallo: Administrator (Brussels – Dakar)
- Jean Constantinesco: Administrator (Brussels)
- Asthou Mbaye: Administrator (Dakar)
- Fara Sakho: Administrator (Dakar)
- Stefano Manservisi: Administrator (Brussels)
The registered office is located at the following address: Avenue des Arts 9 bis 1210 Brussels
Company number: BE0784574996
Contact
Michelle Makaroff : +32 479 96 03 32 | Michelle.makaroff@fynicc.org
Nicolas Esgain : +32 476 47 24 26 | Nicolas.esgain@fynicc.org
