The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed confidence that the country will make history at the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Weekend. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, stated that Nigeria is poised to break all previous records at the event. The CANEX Weekend is scheduled to take place from 5-8 November in Lagos. Oduwole made this statement during a briefing of State House correspondents on preparations for the event.
According to Oduwole, Nigeria's economic size, creative talents, and technological innovation make it an ideal host for the 2026 CANEX Weekend. The minister highlighted Nigeria's achievements in various creative fields, including music, film, fashion, technology, literature, and gastronomy. She expressed confidence that Nigeria would surpass the achievements of previous host countries. Oduwole cited Nigeria's culinary heritage, particularly its jollof rice, as an area where the country is likely to excel.
The Federal Government is intensifying preparations to attract investors, financiers, creative entrepreneurs, and participants from across Africa and beyond. The government aims to transform CANEX from a celebration of African creativity into a platform for securing investments, expanding exports, and creating jobs. Oduwole emphasized that CANEX is central to Nigeria's ambition of building a $1 trillion economy, with the creative industries expected to play a significant role in diversifying the country's sources of revenue.
Oduwole disclosed that the government is engaging creative capital providers internationally to attract financing for Nigerian creative enterprises. Investment deal rooms will be established at the event to facilitate business engagements and partnerships between creators, investors, financiers, and distributors. The minister urged Nigerians to assess the potential of the event by examining the outcomes of previous editions hosted by Egypt, South Africa, and other African countries.
The government has adopted a whole-of-government approach to the preparations, involving various ministries and agencies. The Ministries of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy; Foreign Affairs; and Finance, as well as the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Central Bank of Nigeria, and Lagos State Government, are all working together to ensure the success of the event.
As part of efforts to ensure nationwide participation, all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory will have pavilions to showcase their cultural heritage, creative enterprises, and investment opportunities. The participation of the states has received unanimous support from the Nigerian Governors' Forum and the National Economic Council. Oduwole added that Nigeria is also preparing to host the Intra-African Trade Fair in Lagos in 2027.
Oduwole invited Nigerians and international participants to attend the four-day event, stressing that the government's ambition is to turn the gathering into lasting commercial opportunities. The event is expected to provide opportunities to connect Nigerian businesses to continental markets and strengthen the country's position as a destination for trade, investment, and enterprise.
Key points
- Nigeria aims to break all previous records at the 2026 Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Weekend.
- The event will feature investment deal rooms to facilitate business engagements and partnerships.
- All 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory will have pavilions to showcase their cultural heritage and investment opportunities.
