Registration has opened for CANEX WKND 2026, African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) flagship event for the Creative and Cultural Industries, scheduled to hold in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 5-8, 2026.

Held under the theme, “One people, united in culture, creating for the world: from FESTAC ’77 to CANEX ’27,” the four-day event will bring together creatives, investors, policymakers, financial institutions and other industry stakeholders from Africa, the diaspora and the Caribbean.

The 2026 edition will feature programming across seven creative verticals: fashion, music, film, literature, arts, crafts and design, gastronomy and culinary arts, and sports. Activities will include masterclasses, competitions, exhibitions, showcases, networking sessions and live events.

For writers and literary professionals, the event provides an opportunity to connect with publishers, investors, policymakers and other players within Africa’s growing creative economy. Literature and Publishing is also among the sectors eligible for the CANEX Deal Room, which is seeking investment-ready businesses and projects.

Applications for the CANEX Deal Room 2026 are currently open, with the deadline set for September 7, 2026. Selected participants will have the opportunity to meet representatives of Afreximbank, commercial banks, development finance institutions, investment funds and strategic investors.

CANEX WKND also includes an Exhibition and Marketplace, where businesses across literature and publishing and other creative sectors can showcase their products, meet buyers, build partnerships and access new markets.

Delegate registration is free and provides access to the summit, masterclasses, exhibition floor, networking sessions and opening ceremony.

CANEX WKND 2026 follows the 2024 edition held in Algiers, which attracted thousands of delegates and featured live performances, masterclasses, a fashion showcase, concert and exhibition marketplace.

Click here to register: https://wknd.canex.africa/index/registration

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