Top industry experts confirmed for Creative Africa Nexus Weekend in Abidjan

They join a strong line-up of leading creative industry professionals, potential investors and policymakers drawn from across Africa in conversations geared toward facilitating the growth of the creative and cultural industries on the continent and in the diaspora.

The programme, held under the auspices of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), looks to build on the milestones made at last year’s edition in Durban, South Africa. It will focus on music, fashion, film, literature and sports, among others. It will feature activities such as panel discussions, masterclasses, B2B networking, exhibitions and live performances.

“The event will be an important milestone in Afreximbank’s implementation of the Creative Africa Nexus programme; a multi-faceted intervention aimed at supporting and developing Africa’s rapidly growing creative sector,” organisers said.

During a panel discussion on 26 November titled African Music-Limitless, Sony Music director for French-speaking Africa Elvis Adidiema and Afropop star Yemi Alade will join other leading industry voices to discuss “how the new fusion of African and pop music genres is dominating the world entertainment stage, and why increased investment in the African music ecosystem is crucial to dominating the global stage.”

Mdlongwa, who heads Jazmee Records, will present the panel’s keynote session. Singer Nde Ndifonka, who is the National Coordinator of the Cameroon Musical Art Pole, founder of Calabash Media and Entertainment and AFRIMAs Central Africa regional director, will serve as the panel’s moderator.

Nigerian lawyer and creative entrepreneur Maikori will participate in a discussion on building and increasing the distribution of African-made content to local and global audiences. Maikori is the co-founder and head of Chocolate City Group and Pixel Ray Studios.

Trace CEO Olivier Laouchez, Afrochella founder Abdul Karim Abdullah and AFRIMAs associate producer Olisa Adibua have also been programmed for the session.

Other global icons who will speak at CANEX WKNND 2022 are award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and retired Ivorian soccer star Didier Drogba.

Registration is still ongoing here. For enquiries, interested individuals or companies may send an email to [email protected].