David Adeleke Drives Ambitious Vision for Media Company
Media entrepreneur David Adeleke, founder of Communiqué, is fervently pursuing his goal of establishing a multi-million dollar media enterprise.
Recently, Adeleke has demonstrated remarkable dynamism. In the past few months, he has consistently delivered new offerings to the thousands of subscribers of Communiqué, a newsletter he initiated during the 2020 pandemic. Just this morning, subscribers received an announcement about Creative Capital, a video essay series that delves into the individuals, companies, and dynamics shaping Africa’s media and creative scene.
Adeleke describes Creative Capital as a natural evolution of the work they have been developing for the last six years, emphasizing its focus on long-form, data-driven narrative essays.
In May, he took a significant step by launching the Communiqué Inner Circle, inviting readers to become direct supporters of the editorial initiatives his team is undertaking. Soon, he will be traveling to London to host Communiqué IRL, marking the event’s first occurrence outside Africa, with plans for Paris to follow later this year.
In a recent newsletter promoting the event themed ‘Bridging the UK-Africa Creative Economy Gap,’ Adeleke expressed the need to foster connections between Africans in the diaspora who are influencing the creative economy. He stated, “The time has come to build bridges where they can connect, share, and engage in ongoing conversations.”
Reflecting on his journey, it feels like just yesterday that Adeleke was solely behind his laptop, launching the first iteration of Communiqué. He often refers to that phase as a labor of love, relying heavily on his own ideas and determination.
By late 2021, he began to assemble a team, hiring his first employee, Sarah, to help expand the newsletter. As Communiqué gained traction, planning for events to generate additional revenue began in earnest. The inaugural edition of Creators Circle was successfully launched in collaboration with Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) in 2022.
Today, Communiqué has transformed into a comprehensive media and intelligence platform that delivers research, advisory services, and community engagement, all centered around African culture and creative sectors. Last year, the organization played a role in developing the Nigeria Creator Economy Report 2025.
Adeleke’s entrance into the creative economy was intentional. With a background in mass communications from Covenant University, he began his career as a business and technology journalist. Despite spending significant time in technology journalism, he admits it never resonated with him as deeply as business reporting did.
His focus has always been on culture and the economic frameworks that underpin it. Adeleke has observed that, while the global market embraces African music, film, fashion, and digital content, local stakeholders frequently overlook the ownership and investment opportunities these assets present. He stresses, “I’ve always seen people benefiting from our culture, while we remain unaware or indifferent to these possibilities.”
This realization has driven both his writing and entrepreneurial efforts. By leveraging his business reporting expertise, he aims to highlight gaps in the creative economy through Communiqué. His work has focused on analyzing the media landscape, the creative sector, and the emerging creator economy, which was not widely discussed at the time.
A pivotal article published in 2021, “How to Think About Africa’s Creator Economy,” significantly raised awareness of Communiqué’s mission. Adeleke notes, “It sparked numerous conversations and introduced me to fascinating individuals.” The piece received praise for its thorough research and intellectual rigor, qualities that continue to define Communiqué’s analytical approach.
By last year, Nigeria’s creator economy was valued at $31.2 million, with expectations of future growth. Although the sector offers tremendous potential, Adeleke believes Nigerians have yet to fully capitalize on these opportunities. He highlights a primary obstacle: the lack of local investment, with much of the funding originating from international sources.
“Investors often hesitate to commit to ventures lacking immediate returns, and even when funds are available, access to crucial information for informed decisions is limited,” he explains. Simple inquiries about active companies in specific sectors or optimal investment regions are often difficult to address.
To tackle this knowledge deficit, Adeleke and his team are developing a new product slated for release later this year or early 2024, designed to facilitate better investment decisions in the creative economy. He believes that fostering greater international collaboration is essential, which informs his decision to host Communiqué IRL beyond Africa.
Despite the challenges, signs of progress in the creative landscape are promising. Adeleke observes increased investor engagement and a growing determination among local actors to take charge of their futures. “People are creating solutions to address local challenges,” he notes.
Adeleke’s aspirations extend beyond individual products, events, or reports. He envisions building a transformative media company that genuinely impacts lives. “My goal is to create a company that enriches lives and fosters a better quality of life for others,” he states.
He expresses a desire for Communiqué to be a nurturing environment for talent, where team members can look back in several years and affirm that their lives have improved spiritually and materially due to their collective efforts.
Adeleke acknowledges that realizing this vision will not be possible without the contributions of his dedicated team. As he reflects on his journey, he hopes that seventy years from now, he will look back on a life spent using his skills and opportunities to make a meaningful difference. “I want people to remember me as someone who lived an impactful life,” he affirms.
