The Story ⚡
Lagos will host CANEX WKND 2026, a four-day event uniting creatives, investors, and industry leaders from Africa and its diaspora in a shared platform for collaboration and business opportunities.
Tell Me More
The Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, initiated by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), aims to develop and promote Africa’s creative and cultural industries. Its flagship event, CANEX WKND, provides a space for professionals across multiple disciplines to network, exchange ideas, and pursue practical business outcomes.
Past editions have been held in various locations, including Abidjan in 2022 and Algiers in 2024. The 2024 event in Algiers featured over 108 exhibitors, attracted participants from numerous countries, and resulted in deals and commitments exceeding $540 million across creative sectors.
The 2026 edition moves to Lagos and is described by organisers as the largest to date. It will cover fashion, music, film, visual arts, sports, literature, and gastronomy, with an emphasis on deepening business-to-business and business-to-government connections. The programme supports investment, partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration throughout the creative value chain.
Typical activities include exhibitions, showcases, panel discussions, and networking opportunities that connect creators with investors and institutions. Nigeria’s hosting aligns with the country’s growing role in continental cultural and economic initiatives.
Tangent
Looking back at recent hosts provides context for the event’s evolution.
The 2022 edition in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from November 25 to 27 at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire, served as the inaugural standalone CANEX WKND. It gathered creatives, experts, and prominent figures from Africa and the diaspora for panel discussions, masterclasses, roundtables, and exhibitions. Notable attendees included retired footballer Didier Drogba, artist Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya, YouTube’s Alex Okosi, Sony Music’s Elvis Adidiema, and Afrochella’s Abdul-Karim Abdullah. Around a hundred customised stands displayed diverse products, highlighting pan-African creative exchange and generating widespread interest in the continent’s cultural sectors.
The 2023 edition in Cairo, Egypt, occurred as part of the Intra-African Trade Fair from November 9 to 15. It included over 21 live performances, 115 speakers comprising industry leaders and experts, and 13 masterclass sessions. Key elements featured an extensive fashion show, a music concert, gastronomical experiences, and a market with exhibitions. The event also introduced the CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa, aimed at recognising outstanding work in African literature and supporting the sector’s growth.
The 2024 edition in Algiers, Algeria, ran from October 16 to 19 at the SAFEX exhibition centre. It drew participants from various countries, with over 108 exhibitors contributing to deals and commitments surpassing $540 million.
Activities encompassed the CANEX Music Factory with live recording studios, a concert featuring artists such as Scorpion Kings, Qing Madi, and Sofia Nzau, and a fashion show presenting collections from 10 designers at the Algiers Botanical Gardens. The CANEX Prize for Publishing was awarded to Cassava Republic Press, and the gathering operated under the theme “One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World.”
Hosting in Lagos is expected to result in a densely attended event, given the city’s status as a major economic and cultural centre in Africa. With a population exceeding 20 million and established industries like Nollywood film production and Afrobeats music, Lagos offers greater local participation and accessibility compared to previous locations in North and West Africa.
This shift could lead to higher attendance from regional stakeholders, more spontaneous collaborations, and a broader integration with Nigeria’s existing creative infrastructure, potentially amplifying the event’s impact on trade and investment.
In Summary
Registrations for CANEX WKND 2026 are now open through official CANEX channels.
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