Creative Africa Nexus opens in Lagos with record 17,000 registrations

Creative Africa Nexus WKND 2026, Africa's annual creative-economy gathering, opened in Lagos, Nigeria, on November 5 for four days, drawing 17,000 registrations — a record. The Nigerian government used the occasion to unveil a series of policies and financing measures to support the creative industries.

17,000 registrations; Nobel laureate in attendance

This year's event is hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria and organised by the African Export-Import Bank through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, running November 5–8 under the theme "One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World." The previous edition drew 6,000 attendees; this year registrations reached 17,000. A high-level conversation on November 6, "One Market, One Culture: Building the Creative Economy of Global Africa," features Nobel literature laureate Wole Soyinka and culture ministers from Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa and Rwanda.

Nigeria unveils IP policy and $600 million in financing

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole said at the opening that the Federal Executive Council approved Nigeria's first National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy in November 2025, and that the government is unlocking more than $600 million in financing for digital and creative enterprises through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (IDICE) programme. Nigeria also unveiled its Creative Sector Investment Playbook at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026.

Nigeria to host 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair

Oduwole also said Nigeria will host the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair, a bid approved by President Bola Tinubu in November 2024 and linked to the 50th anniversary of the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC '77). Vice-President Kashim Shettima urged African governments to remove barriers to trade so creative products, especially films, can circulate freely across African markets. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the creative economy had become a major source of employment and investment.

The programme continues with a major concert on November 7 and closes on November 8 with cultural excursions, gastronomy activities and a Legends Football Game. (Photo: a Lagos arts festival, file photo.)