The federal government of Nigeria has announced plans to host the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Weekend in Lagos, aiming to increase trade, investment, and job creation through the creative economy. The event, scheduled for November 5 to 8, will bring together creators, businesses, investors, and policymakers to explore opportunities for partnerships and financing. According to the minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, CANEX is more than a celebration of African creativity, but a platform for trade, investment, enterprise, and market access.
Dr. Oduwole emphasized that the federal government’s priority is to ensure that Nigeria’s creative talent translates into sustainable businesses, intellectual property, exports, and jobs. She highlighted Nigeria's significant strengths in various sectors, including fashion, literature, visual arts, gastronomy, sports, music, film, and technology. The government aims to connect these sectors to finance, investors, distribution networks, technology, and international markets. Oduwole stressed that "CANEX must translate connections into transactions."
The CANEX 2026 event is expected to attract over 10,000 participants and will feature pavilion spaces for all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to showcase their creative industries and cultural offerings. The minister expressed confidence that Nigeria would break previous CANEX records. The event is a whole-of-government effort, involving several ministries and agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Lagos State Government.
The hosting of CANEX is part of Nigeria’s broader ambition to position the country as a leading destination for African trade, investment, and enterprise. Lagos will also host the Intra-African Trade Fair in 2027, expected to attract over 100,000 participants. According to Dr. Oduwole, these events will help to promote Nigeria's creative economy and provide opportunities for businesses and investors.
The Nigeria Police Force has been involved in the preparations to ensure adequate security for the international participants expected in Lagos. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, emphasized that security is critical to the success of the event, noting that visitors will be coming from different parts of the world. The Commissioner of Police and the AIG in charge of Zone 2 have been tasked with ensuring adequate security arrangements.
IGP Disu said that participants will experience standard policing and officers who are prepared to welcome visitors to Nigeria. He also requested that the minister provide a pavilion for the police to showcase its security operations during the event. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, confirmed that the ministry is working with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment and other government agencies to ensure the success of the event.
The 2026 Creative Africa Nexus Weekend is expected to create opportunities for partnerships, financing, and expansion of Nigerian creative enterprises beyond the country. The event will provide a platform for creators, businesses, investors, financiers, policymakers, distributors, and market-access partners to connect and explore opportunities. With adequate planning and security measures in place, Nigeria is poised to host a successful event that will promote its creative economy and attract investment.
Key points
- The federal government aims to increase trade, investment, and job creation through the creative economy by hosting the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus Weekend in Lagos.
- The event is expected to attract over 10,000 participants and feature pavilion spaces for all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
- Nigeria is also set to host the Intra-African Trade Fair in 2027, expected to attract over 100,000 participants.
