The Federal Government has urged diplomatic missions to attract investment, expand international market access and strengthen partnerships for Africa’s creative industries ahead of CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos.
The call was made during a diplomatic briefing organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on Friday, October 16, 2026.
The event was convened to sensitise the diplomatic community to the forthcoming Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND), scheduled for November 5 to 8 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, National Theatre Complex, Lagos.
Representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, said cultural diplomacy could help strengthen international relations, promote Nigeria’s cultural identity and generate economic benefits from the country’s creative assets.
Ahmed cited the international success of Nollywood and Afrobeats as evidence of Africa’s capacity to influence global narratives and create economic value through its creative industries.
He identified access to finance, intellectual property protection, skills development and international market access as major challenges confronting the sector, calling for coordinated efforts to address them.
The permanent secretary urged diplomatic missions to support four priority areas of CANEX WKND: facilitating investment through the CANEX Deal Room and Finance Summit; attracting international buyers, distributors and cultural organisations; promoting partnerships through co-production, creative residencies and technology transfer; and connecting Africa’s cultural heritage with emerging commercial opportunities.
He also said the event could advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by expanding cross-border trade in creative goods and services and improving access to international markets.
Ahmed linked the initiative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on economic diversification, job creation and the development of Nigeria’s cultural and creative assets.
Speaking at the briefing, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, described CANEX WKND as a platform for connecting African creative talents with investors, financiers, buyers and commercial partners.
She said the initiative was led by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union Commission, the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to Oduwole, the programme aims to unlock the economic potential of Africa’s creative and cultural industries through financing, investment, trade promotion, skills development and access to international markets.
She disclosed that Nigeria’s successful bids to host CANEX WKND 2026 and the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2027 were part of efforts to position the country as a major destination for continental trade, investment and creative industry engagements.
Oduwole also highlighted the CANEX Deal Room as a platform expected to connect creative entrepreneurs with financiers to explore funding and investment opportunities.
The November event is expected to bring together stakeholders across Africa’s creative industries, with a focus on expanding commercial partnerships and strengthening the sector’s contribution to economic growth and job creation.