Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) WKND 2026 opened in Lagos on Thursday, bringing together creatives, investors, policymakers and business leaders from across Africa and the diaspora for four days of industry discussions, performances, exhibitions and business networking.
Hosted by Nigeria’s Federal Government and organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) through its CANEX programme, the event runs from November 5 to 8 under the theme “One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World.”
The gathering covers film and television, music, fashion, sport, publishing, gastronomy and visual arts, with a focus on financing, intellectual property, technology, investment and access to markets.
A key feature is the CANEX Deal Room, which connects creative entrepreneurs with financiers and investors. Other initiatives include creative pitch sessions, masterclasses and the CANEX CreaThon, which brings together creators and technology innovators and offers a US$50,000 prize pool.
The event builds on Afreximbank’s US$2 billion commitment to financing Africa’s creative industries between 2024 and 2027. The funding is intended to help creative businesses grow, strengthen intellectual property ownership and retain more economic value from African cultural products.
Among the prominent figures featured in the programme are Nobel laureate and writer Professor Wole Soyinka, actors Uzo Aduba and Funke Akindele, and former footballers Didier Drogba and Jay-Jay Okocha. Musicians including Davido, Fally Ipupa, Flavour, Libianca and Charlotte Dipanda are also listed among the performers.
Discussions will examine how African creative industries can expand across borders, attract investment and compete internationally. A high-level session on November 6, titled “One Market, One Culture: Building the Creative Economy of Global Africa,” brings together cultural leaders and industry representatives to explore ways to turn the global reach of African culture into stronger businesses and exports.
Sport, fashion, film, publishing and gastronomy also feature through dedicated sessions, competitions, exhibitions and showcases. The programme includes a Legends Football Match at Onikan Stadium on November 8, while a major concert is scheduled for November 7.
Held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly Nigeria’s National Theatre, CANEX WKND is designed to connect creative talent with the finance, infrastructure and commercial partnerships needed to build sustainable businesses.
