CANEX WKND 2026: Lagos Celebrates African Culture, Creativity and Business Opportunities

CANEX Weekend Wraps Lagos in Culture and Business

Lagos was filled with colour, music and creative energy as the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND) brought together artists, filmmakers, fashion designers, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers from across Africa and the diaspora. The four-day event, which opened on November 5 and ended on November 8, turned the city into a meeting point for culture and business.

Hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria and organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) through its Creative Africa Nexus programme, the gathering was held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, popularly known as the National Theatre, in Lagos. Its theme, “One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World,” highlighted the power of African creativity to connect people and create economic opportunities.

The programme covered music, film and television, fashion, sports, literature, publishing, gastronomy and visual arts. Visitors experienced performances, exhibitions, masterclasses, discussions and networking sessions. Musicians including Davido, Fally Ipupa, Flavour, Libianca and Charlotte Dipanda featured in the entertainment programme, while cultural figures such as Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, Emmy Award-winning actor Uzo Aduba and filmmaker Funke Akindele were among the participants.

The gathering attracted investors, financial institutions, government representatives and business leaders. Their presence reflected the growing recognition that Africa’s creative industries are not only sources of entertainment and cultural identity but areas for investment, trade and job creation.

Behind the colourful celebrations was a business agenda. The CANEX Deal Room and Creative Economy Finance Summit provided platforms for creative entrepreneurs to meet potential financiers, discuss projects and explore partnerships. Sessions examined challenges such as limited access to funding, intellectual property protection, technology, distribution and entry into international markets.

Afreximbank’s financing commitment to Africa’s creative and cultural industries has grown to US$2 billion, signalling the scale of its ambition to support the sector. At the event, attention focused on ensuring that African creators retain ownership of their work and a greater share of the income it generates.

For emerging creatives, CANEX WKND offered more than exposure. It created opportunities to build networks, learn, attract investment and reach wider audiences. Stronger funding and distribution systems could help local talent turn ideas into sustainable businesses.

As the weekend closed with cultural activities, music and sport, its message remained clear: Africa’s creativity has global appeal, but its long-term success depends on building the businesses and partnerships that allow creators to benefit from their talent.