CANEX WKND Opens in Lagos With Focus on Creative Finance

CANEX WKND 2026 opened in Lagos on November 5, bringing together creative businesses, investors and government officials as Afreximbank promoted greater financing and African ownership of distribution and intellectual property. The gathering, hosted by Nigeria’s government and organised by the African Export-Import Bank, is scheduled to run through November 8. More than 15,000 registrations were recorded, according to event information cited by organisers. Afreximbank President George Elombi said the bank’s creative-sector commitment had grown from US$500 million to US$1 billion and then US$2 billion, reaching the current level in 2024. The bank says the funding is intended to support creative businesses and strengthen their ability to retain value from their work. The event’s deal rooms are hosting discussions between entrepreneurs, buyers and investors. Nigeria’s Industry, Trade and Investment Minister Jumoke Oduwole said proposed transactions worth more than US$500 million were under discussion. That figure describes proposals, not deals reported as signed or completed. Expectations for the event’s overall deal activity vary in the opening remarks. Afreximbank executive...