Lagos to Host CANEX WKND 2026: Four Days Aimed at Commercialising Africa’s Creative Industries

# What the event is and who's organising it Preparations are underway for the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) 2026 in Lagos. The four-day event, set for November 5–8, is organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat. The venue is the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts at the National Theatre Complex, Iganmu.

# Purpose and theme CANEX WKND 2026 aims to support development, commercialisation and expansion of Africa's creative and cultural industries. The stated theme is "One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World: From FESTAC '77 to CANEX'27." The programme focuses on improving access to finance, markets, skills, partnerships and investment opportunities across the creative economy.

# Who will attend

# Core programme elements The event combines business and cultural programming. Listed components include:

• CANEX Finance Summit and Deal Room for project pitching to financiers and investors.
• CANEX Shorts Film Competition and CANEX Music Factory with a songwriting camp.
• Fashion shows, awards night and exhibitions.
• Competitions such as the Jollof Wars and Junior Chefs Competition.
• CANEX Mega Concert and a Legends Football Match.

The Deal Room is described as a space for creative entrepreneurs and businesses to present projects to financiers, with the intention of supporting commercially viable enterprises and building sustainable value chains.

# Organisers' stated objectives

# Context and continuity with FESTAC Organisers intend the Lagos edition to build on the legacy of FESTAC '77. CANEX WKND is planned alongside national preparations to commemorate FESTAC's 50th anniversary in 2027, using the historical reference to connect cultural legacy with the development of contemporary creative industries.

# What to watch for at the event Expect a mix of deal-making and cultural showcases. The Deal Room and Finance Summit will be key for observing concrete investment flows or pitch opportunities. Industry-focused sessions on market access and skills could indicate immediate priorities for policy and private investment. High-profile showcases (music, film, fashion) will highlight commercial-ready content and potential export products.

# Immediate implications If the event enables deals and follow-up financing, it could accelerate commercial projects across creative subsectors. The explicit focus on markets and finance signals a push to move creative activity beyond cultural celebration toward scalable, revenue-generating businesses.