CANEX WKND 2026 Launches in Lagos to Boost Africa’s Creative Economy

Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) WKND 2026 commenced on Thursday, November 5, in Lagos, Nigeria, marking a significant gathering of Africa’s foremost creatives, investors, policymakers, business leaders, and cultural figures. Spanning four days, the event features conversations, deal-making, performances, exhibitions, and industry-focused sessions designed to advance trade, investment, and commercial opportunities within Africa’s burgeoning creative economy.

Hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria and organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) through its Creative Africa Nexus programme, CANEX WKND 2026 runs through November 8 under the theme “One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World.” The programme covers a broad spectrum of sectors including film and television, music, fashion, sport, literature and publishing, gastronomy, and visual arts.

A core emphasis of the event is on finance, intellectual property (IP), technology, skills development, investment, and market access. Over the four days, CANEX WKND offers platforms such as the CANEX Deal Room to facilitate deal-making and sector-specific engagement, aiming to translate creative talent and ideas into stronger businesses, partnerships, and commercial ventures.

This ambition aligns with Afreximbank’s evolving commitment to Africa’s creative and cultural industries. Since 2020, Afreximbank has expanded its financing commitment from an initial amount to $1 billion, and subsequently quadrupled it to $2 billion. This expansion underscores the bank’s objective to help African creators and creative enterprises build scalable businesses, enhance IP ownership, and retain a greater share of the economic value generated by African culture and creativity.

The opening ceremony featured addresses from prominent dignitaries including Ministers of Culture and Creative Industries from 11 African countries, Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of Afreximbank’s Board of Directors; H.E. Dr Olajumoke Omoniyi Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat; and H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State.

CANEX WKND 2026 convenes some of the continent’s and diaspora’s most influential cultural and industry figures. Participants include Nobel Laureate and playwright Professor Wole Soyinka; Emmy Award-winning actor Uzo Aduba; filmmaker and actor Funke Akindele; actors Richard Mofe-Damijo and Thuso Mbedu; and former professional footballers Didier Drogba and Jay-Jay Okocha. The event also showcases performances by musicians such as Davido, Fally Ipupa, Flavour, Libianca, and Charlotte Dipanda, blending industry engagement with live cultural programming.

Beyond headline personalities, the programme prioritises the business dimensions of Africa’s creative economy. On November 6, a high-level panel titled “One Market, One Culture: Building the Creative Economy of Global Africa” will explore strategies to convert African cultural influence into robust creative businesses, exports, and investment. Speakers include Professor Wole Soyinka; ministers responsible for culture and the arts from Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, and Rwanda; representatives from the International Finance Corporation; and Afreximbank officials.

Financing remains central to the agenda. The Creative Economy Finance Summit, presented by Afreximbank in partnership with the Creative Economy Practice at Co-Creation Hub, will gather financial institutions and investors to discuss structuring, financing, and de-risking creative economy transactions.

CANEX Creations Inc. will lead discussions on unlocking investment in African intellectual property. The CANEX Deal Room and Creative Pitch Sessions will connect creative entrepreneurs directly with financiers and investors interested in film and television, music, fashion, sport, publishing, gastronomy, visual arts, and creative infrastructure opportunities.

Technology and evolving creative production economics will be prominent themes. Sessions will address artificial intelligence, authorship, and intellectual property; the use of technology to reshape creative businesses; and how African creators can leverage digital tools to develop globally competitive products.

The CANEX CreaThon, delivered in partnership with pan-African technology company Gebeya, will unite creators, developers, and innovators around projects in music, video, and gaming. Supported by African-built digital tools, mentorship, computing resources, and a US$50,000 prize pool, the CreaThon aims to foster innovation and collaboration.

Film and television programming will explore storytelling and the commercial infrastructure needed to expand African content’s reach. Sessions include “Stories Without Borders: Africa, Hollywood & the Global Diaspora,” featuring former Afreximbank President Professor Benedict Oramah, and “Made in Africa, Watched in Africa,” which examines research on film distribution, audiences, and financing across Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa.

Sport forms another major focus, with discussions on athlete development, management, commercialisation, and connections between sport and the broader creative economy. Didier Drogba and Jay-Jay Okocha are scheduled to participate in “When Giants Speak: The Business of the Game.” The weekend will conclude with a Legends Football Match at Onikan Stadium on November 8.

Fashion programming includes masterclasses on building profitable African brands, textile value chains, market access, and intellectual property, alongside the CANEX Fashion Show and Awards Night.

Gastronomy features prominently through the CANEX Junior Chefs Competition, Africa Jollof Wars Competition, and a series of live demonstrations and conversations exploring how African food, ingredients, and culinary traditions can become stronger commercial propositions domestically, continentally, and globally.

Publishing and literature are represented by the CANEX Book Factory, Book Fair, writers’ workshops, manuscript pitching, and the CANEX Prize for Publishing. Visual arts programming combines exhibitions, collector engagement, and practical sessions to support artists navigating Africa’s expanding art ecosystem.