CANEX WKND 2026: Lagos Brings Africa’s Creative Industry and Investors Together

CANEX WKND 2026: Lagos Brings Africa’s Creative Industry and Investors Together
Lagos has once again demonstrated its growing influence as a centre for African culture and business following the successful hosting of the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) WKND 2026, which brought together creatives, investors, policymakers and diaspora representatives from across the world.
The four-day event, held from November 5 to 8 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, National Theatre, Lagos, provided a platform for discussions, performances, exhibitions and business opportunities across Africa’s creative industries.
Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) through its Creative Africa Nexus initiative and hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the event attracted more than 15,000 delegates from Africa, the Caribbean and the wider diaspora.
With the theme One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World, CANEX WKND 2026 focused on connecting African creative talent with international markets, investment and business partnerships.
According to The Guardian Nigeria, the programme covered several sectors, including music, film and television, fashion, sports, literature, publishing, gastronomy, visual arts and technology.
Beyond entertainment: The business of creativity
One of the major highlights of CANEX WKND 2026 was its emphasis on turning creative talent into sustainable businesses and employment opportunities.
Rather than focusing only on celebrity appearances and entertainment, the gathering addressed important challenges facing African creatives, including access to funding, intellectual property protection, distribution and international market access.
##The CANEX Deal Room, Creative Economy Finance Summit and Creative Pitch Sessions provided opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with investors, financial institutions and potential business partners.
Afreximbank also highlighted its commitment of up to $2 billion to support Africa's creative and cultural industries, demonstrating the growing recognition of creativity as an important contributor to economic development.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged African creatives to turn the gathering into meaningful business opportunities rather than simply leaving with memories.
He also called for stronger intellectual property protection and fewer barriers to trade in African creative products.
The employment potential of the sector was another major talking point. Nigeria's Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, disclosed that the Federal Government was targeting at least two million jobs from the creative economy by 2030.
This ambition highlights the potential of music, filmmaking, fashion, technology and other creative businesses to provide employment, encourage entrepreneurship and attract investment.
##Lagos strengthens its position as Africa's culture hub
The choice of Lagos as host city further highlighted its importance in Africa's cultural and commercial landscape.
Known for its thriving entertainment industry, film production, music scene and fashion businesses, Lagos provided an opportunity for local creatives to connect with international investors and members of the African diaspora.
The event also featured performances, fashion showcases, culinary competitions, exhibitions and discussions involving established and emerging industry professionals.
These activities demonstrated that African creativity extends beyond entertainment to include businesses, technology, tourism, education and international trade.
For young Nigerians, such gatherings can create opportunities to learn new skills, establish professional relationships, attract funding and develop businesses that can compete internationally.
A bigger opportunity for Africa's creative economy
CANEX WKND 2026 has reinforced the importance of investing in Africa's creative industries rather than relying solely on the popularity of its music, films and fashion.