Introduction

Across the UK, African creatives are creating and finding spaces for themselves. From grassroots collectives to purpose-driven platforms, a new generation of hubs is rising; places where creativity, community, and culture collide. These are more than just event spaces or galleries, they’re launchpads for bold ideas, home bases for diaspora stories, and bridges between Africa and the wider world.

Whether you're a creative entrepreneur, an art lover, or simply culturally curious, these hubs offer space to explore, connect, and celebrate African identity in all its diversity. Here's a look at some of the most exciting African creative spaces shaping the UK’s cultural scene right now.

Turaka Creative Hub (Medway, Kent)

Founded in 2023 by Nigerian artist Aduke Aladekomo, Turaka is a colourful hub nestled in the heart of Medway, Kent. The space brings African creativity to life through visual and performing arts, fashion, and design, each deeply rooted in heritage.

Turaka hosts hands-on workshops, cultural events, and a marketplace for African-inspired products. It’s a space designed not just to showcase art, but to foster dialogue and build community.

The Africa Centre (London)

A cultural institution since 1964, The Africa Centre in Southwark remains a cornerstone of Pan-African identity in the UK. Its mission: to connect, educate, and empower the global African diaspora.

Through exhibitions, performances, talks and social programs, it offers a platform for creative and cultural exchange, remaining as vital and vibrant today as it was at its founding.

Utopia Theatre Creative Hub (Sheffield)

Utopia Theatre, led by Mojisola Kareem-Elufowoju, has long championed African stories on stage. In 2023, it launched the Utopia Theatre Creative Hub in Sheffield—a lively space for artistic development, performance, and community engagement.

Here, creatives can experiment, collaborate, and bring African traditions to life through contemporary theatre. The space is also open to the wider public for events, making African storytelling accessible to all.

Afri-Co-Lab (St Leonards-On-Sea)

On the southern coast in East Sussex, Afri-Co-Lab brings a unique blend of Ugandan heritage and British seaside spirit. Founded by fashion designers Anna and Lilly, this community hub thrives on creativity, sustainability, and inclusion.

From sewing socials to youth workshops and dance sessions, Afri-Co-Lab invites people to explore African culture through hands-on, joyful expression.

Rele Gallery (London)

In the heart of Mayfair, Rele Gallery is helping reframe how African art is perceived globally. Founded by Nigerian curator Adenrele Sonariwo, it showcases contemporary works that are bold, evocative, and deeply rooted in African narratives.

Its London debut featured Nigerian artist Peju Alatise, whose work draws on Yoruba mythology. Rele is not just about art—it’s about shifting perspectives and making space for new African voices in the global art scene.

EbonyLife Place UK (London)

Coming in late 2025, EbonyLife Place London is set to become a cultural landmark. Media mogul Mo Abudu is bringing her successful Lagos concept to Wandsworth Road, complete with the city’s first African cinema, a signature Nigerian restaurant, fashion and art retail spaces, and creative studios.

It’s more than entertainment, it’s a home for African talent in the UK, designed to amplify stories, foster collaboration, and build a bridge between Africa and the world stage.

Bellafricana UK

Bellafricana UK is where creativity meets commerce. Founded by Nigerian entrepreneur Bukky Asehinde, this tech-enabled community supports African creative entrepreneurs across fashion, beauty, home, food, and art industries.

What began as a search for connection while living abroad evolved into a mission: to make African-made products globally accessible and to give their makers the visibility and support they deserve. Since 2016, Bellafricana has built a thriving “creative family”, offering resources, visibility, and business guidance that helps small African brands grow and scale sustainably. With the UK chapter, that mission now extends to the diaspora—connecting African makers to global markets and audiences.

Marmalade Collective (London + Global)

Marmalade Collective is a global community for the culturally curious, built around one simple idea: Africa’s stories belong in the mainstream. Founded by Tola Alade, the platform curates immersive experiences that bring African culture to life through film screenings, supper clubs, intimate talks, and premium content.

With a growing member base, Marmalade fosters meaningful connection both online and IRL, hosting regular virtual hangouts and in-person meetups in London (with more cities to come). Whether it’s a travel series, a pop-up event, or a culture guide, Marmalade is all about discovery, belonging, and celebrating the richness of African culture in ways that feel personal, inspiring, and real.

Conclusion

What connects these hubs, despite their different sizes, formats, and locations, is a shared purpose: to centre African creativity and redefine how it's experienced in the UK. They offer sanctuary, spotlight, and support—platforms that nurture not only art, but identity and opportunity.

As these hubs grow and evolve, they’re not just changing how African culture is seen, they’re changing who gets to shape it.