Malawian award-winning shoe maker Chimwemwe Mwenyemasi has called on African creatives to build their businesses around their own cultural heritages for originality. Speaking at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND 2026) in Lagos, Nigeria, Mwenyemasi shared his journey of embracing his African roots to create unique designs. He used Ntopwa print, colors of Lake Malawi, and Chewa and Ngoni patterns in his designs, which changed everything for his business.
The Creative Africa Nexus Weekend is a premier platform for export development, collaboration, and knowledge exchange in Africa's creative economy. The event, convened by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), aims to advance trade, investment, and sustainable growth within Africa's creative industries. It has brought together stakeholders from across the Global African Creative and Cultural Industries, including policymakers, investors, and business leaders.
Mwenyemasi's call for originality resonates with the event's theme of converting Africa's growing global influence into stronger creative businesses, exports, and investment. The conference features a high-level conversation titled "One Market, One Culture: Building the Creative Economy of Global Africa." Speakers include Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, ministers responsible for culture and the arts, and representatives from the International Finance Corporation and Afreximbank.
The event has attracted influential cultural and industry figures, including Emmy Award-winning actor Uzo Aduba, filmmaker Funke Akindele, and former professional footballers Didier Drogba and Jay-Jay Okocha. The programme also features performances and appearances from musicians such as Davido, Fally Ipupa, and Flavour. CANEX WKND has grown rapidly in scale and impact since its establishment in 2022.
The second edition of CANEX WKND, held in Algiers, Algeria in October 2024, attracted over 8,000 creatives, cultural enthusiasts, and delegates from 81 countries. The event generated more than $500 million in deals and welcomed over 200 exhibitors from across Africa and the global diaspora. This year's event aims to facilitate strategic business-to-business and business-to-government engagement opportunities across various sectors.
Mwenyemasi's message emphasizes that being African is not a weakness, but an advantage. He encourages creatives to draw inspiration from their cultural heritage to create unique and original products. By doing so, African creatives can differentiate themselves and succeed in the global market. The event provides a platform for creatives to network, learn, and showcase their talents.
The Creative Africa Nexus Weekend will continue to run until November 8, featuring a range of activities, including masterclasses, panel discussions, and cultural performances. As the event progresses, attendees can expect to engage with industry experts, policymakers, and cultural leaders to explore opportunities for growth and development in Africa's creative economy.
Key points
- Malawian shoe maker Chimwemwe Mwenyemasi calls on African creatives to build businesses around their cultural heritage for originality and success.
