CANEX weekend puts Lagos creatives in focus

Lagos has become a meeting point for Africa’s creative industry as the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) opened on November 5. The four-day event, which ended on November 8, brought together artists, filmmakers, musicians, fashion designers, investors, policymakers and business leaders from Africa and the diaspora.

Hosted by the Federal Government and organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) through its CANEX programme, the gathering took place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, in Iganmu, Lagos. It was Nigeria’s first time hosting the event.

This year’s theme, “One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World,” reflected the aim of connecting African creativity with business opportunities. The programme covered music, film and television, fashion, literature, publishing, visual arts, food, sports and technology. Visitors could attend exhibitions, live performances, fashion showcases, masterclasses and discussions, while entrepreneurs met partners and investors.

The event was not only about entertainment. Sessions focused on challenges facing African creators, including access to funding, protecting intellectual property, reaching new audiences and distributing creative work across borders. The CANEX Deal Room and Creative Economy Finance Summit were designed to connect businesses with financiers and help turn ideas into ventures.

Afreximbank has made up to $2 billion available to support Africa’s creative and cultural industries, underlining the sector’s importance to jobs, trade and investment.

Lagos is a fitting host because it is one of Nigeria’s centres for music, film, fashion and business. Its creative communities, venues and links to international markets make it a place for industry players to meet.

For creatives, the gathering offered more than a celebration: it highlighted the need to turn talent into businesses and ensure African creators benefit from the value their work generates.