Lagos:Preparations are underway for Lagos to host the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND), scheduled from November 5 to November 8. This event, considered Africa’s largest gathering of creative and cultural industries, is organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the African Union Commission, and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event will be held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, National Theatre Complex in Iganmu, Lagos. It will attract participants from across Africa, the Caribbean, and the broader diaspora. The theme, ‘One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World: From FESTAC ’77 to CANEX’27,’ emphasizes the event’s focus on supporting the development, commercialization, and expansion of Africa’s creative and cultural industries.
The programme aims to enhance access to finance, markets, skills, partnerships, and investment opportunities within the creative and cultural economy. Activities will span various sectors, including film, music, fashion, literature, visual arts, gastronomy, and sports, featuring business discussions, showcases, exhibitions, masterclasses, and networking opportunities.
Key components of the event include the CANEX Finance Summit and Deal Room, CANEX Shorts Film Competition, Jollof Wars Competition, CANEX Music Factory, Songwriting Camp, Junior Chefs Competition, Fashion Show and Awards Night, CANEX Mega Concert, and Legends Football Match. The CANEX Deal Room will allow creative entrepreneurs and businesses to present projects to financiers and investors, aiming to support commercially viable creative enterprises and develop sustainable value chains in Africa’s creative economy.
The Lagos edition of CANEX WKND 2026 will build on the legacy of FESTAC ’77, linking cultural heritage with the development of contemporary creative industries. This event is particularly significant as Nigeria prepares for the 50th anniversary of FESTAC in 2027.
Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice-President of Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, noted that the event would help convert Africa’s creative talent into sustainable commercial opportunities by bringing together creators, investors, financiers, buyers, and policymakers. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, emphasized that hosting the event reinforces Nigeria’s position as a leading creative and commercial center in Africa.
The 2024 edition of CANEX in Algiers, Algeria, facilitated deals worth over 540 million dollars and attracted around 4,000 participants from 81 countries. Afreximbank has committed two billion dollars to support Africa’s creative industries from 2024 to 2027, highlighting its dedication to enhancing the sector’s contribution to trade and enterprise development across Africa.
The Lagos event will also act as a precursor to the fifth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2027) in Nigeria, set to offer a broader marketplace for African businesses, including creative enterprises, to expand partnerships and access new markets.