CANEX WKND 2026 gathers 15,000 in Lagos to boost creative economy

Focus on finance, ownership and market access

CANEX WKND 2026 centers on finance, ownership, and market access to help African creators build scalable enterprises and retain economic value. The program promotes investment, strengthens partnerships, and expands market access for creative businesses.

The event features a DICE 5.0 component titled “Igniting African Creativity through Infrastructure & Strategic Capital” to explore how to strengthen business models. The CANEX Deal Room is a platform for entrepreneurs to present bankable projects to potential investors.

Senator Kashim Shettima stated at the event, “We cannot continue to celebrate African creativity while making it difficult for African creators to access African markets”.

Afreximbank commits $2 billion to creative sector

Afreximbank has committed $2 billion in funding through 2027 to support the growth of Africa’s creative and cultural industries. This total reflects a significant increase from an initial 2020 commitment and a subsequent $1 billion phase.

Nigerian government and Afreximbank leaders address delegates

Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima spoke on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony also featured addresses from Afreximbank President George Elombi, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Wamkele Mene of the AfCFTA Secretariat. Nigerian official Olajumoke Omoniyi Oduwole joined them alongside ministers of culture and creative industries from 11 African countries.

Diverse sessions cover music, film, fashion and technology

The event, themed "One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World," offers programming across film, television, music, fashion, sport, literature, publishing, gastronomy, visual arts and technology. Attendees use a mobile app to access digital badges, connect with other delegates, discover exhibitors and schedule meetings.

This summit brings financial institutions and investors together to structure and de-risk transactions in the creative sector.

The CANEX CreaThon, organized with technology company Gebeya, provides mentorship and digital tools. It offers a $50,000 prize pool for projects in music, video and gaming. Filmmaker Funke Akindele scheduled a fireside chat with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo for November 6.

The program includes the CANEX Deal Room, African Producer Accelerator, CANEX Music Factory and CANEX Book Factory. The Music Factory features a live recording studio, while the event also hosts a creative writing workshop and the CANEX Publishing Prize ceremony. The CANEX Exhibition and Market provides space for brands and businesses to showcase goods and services.

Additional programming includes masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions, live music performances and culinary demonstrations. The event features a contemporary visual arts exhibition, a luxury fashion exchange forum and a fashion show. Beyond Limits curates the DICE ecosystem mixer, which connects players from the creative, technology and business sectors.

PAPSS enables real-time transactions for creative businesses

The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, or PAPSS, enables real-time, secure cross-border payments in African currencies for creative enterprises. Developed by Afreximbank, the African Union, and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, the infrastructure supports trade conversations at the event.

Nigeria approved its first National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy in 2025 and launched a Creative Sector Investment Playbook in January 2026 to guide investment in studios and content production.

Afreximbank manages a $10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries participating in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. As of December 2025, the bank reported total assets and contingencies exceeding $48.5 billion and shareholder funds of $8.4 billion.

The bank holds investment-grade ratings from China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd at AAA, GCR at A, and Japan Credit Rating Agency at A-. Moody’s rates the bank at Baa2, while S&P Global Ratings maintains a BBB+ rating.

Global stars and industry leaders join cultural celebration

More than 15,000 delegates from Africa, the Caribbean, and the diaspora gathered for the event. Funke Akindele, Didier Drogba, and Jay-Jay Okocha also participated.

The CANEX Fashion Show and Awards Night began at 7:00 pm WAT on November 6. A concert featuring musicians Davido, Fally Ipupa, Flavour, Libianca, Charlotte Dipanda, and Sabrina Francis is scheduled for November 7.

Didier Drogba and Jay-Jay Okocha joined a discussion titled “When Giants Speak: The Business of the Game”.

Previous event in Algiers facilitated $540 million in deals

CANEX WKND 2024, held in Algiers, hosted participants from 81 countries. The gathering facilitated more than $540 million in trade and investment deals.