CANEX: Creating the African story for global audience

By Seth KRAMPAH, Algiers, Algeria

In a world increasingly shaped by creativity, Africa is stepping forward to tell its own story—boldly, creatively and on its own terms. At the heart of this movement is the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an initiative powered by Afreximbank that is transforming the continent’s creative industries into a global force.

With its latest showcase at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 in Algiers, CANEX is not just a platform, it is a cultural revolution.

Africa’s creative economy has long been rich in talent but underserved in infrastructure, financing and global visibility. Since its inception in 2020, the initiative has grown from a US$500million commitment to a staggering US$2billion investment in 2024.

This financial backing is more than symbolic, a strategic move to unlock the continent’s creative potential across music, film, fashion, literature, visual arts and digital media. By providing access to funding, training and international markets, CANEX is enabling African creatives to scale their work and reach audiences far beyond their borders.

The theme of CANEX WKND 2025 — ‘One People, United in Culture, creating for the World’—captures the essence of the initiative. Held in Algiers, the event brought together over 4,000 participants from 81 countries, including artists, entrepreneurs, policy-makers and investors.

From the rhythmic pulse of the CANEX Music Factory to the runway brilliance of the CANEX Fashion Show, the event was a celebration of African creativity in all its forms. It was also a strategic marketplace, where ideas met capital and partnerships were forged to propel African stories onto the global stage.

One of the most powerful aspects of CANEX is its commitment to authenticity. African creatives are not being asked to conform to global standards—they’re being empowered to define them. Designers like Namnyak Odupoy, whose work blends traditional beadwork and loom techniques with contemporary fashion, are using CANEX to share heritage through design.

Musicians collaborating in the Music Factory are crafting sounds that reflect the continent’s diversity, while filmmakers are exploring narratives that challenge stereotypes and elevate African perspectives.

But CANEX is more than a showcase, it’s a blueprint for sustainable growth. The initiative is investing in infrastructure that will support long-term development: film production studios, fashion manufacturing hubs, music arenas and training centres. These investments are designed to create jobs, stimulate local economies and ensure that Africa’s creative industries are not just celebrated but economically viable. By aligning cultural expression with trade and development, CANEX is redefining what it means to be a creative entrepreneur in Africa.

The global impact of CANEX is already being felt. African fashion is appearing on runways in Paris. African music is topping international charts. African films are winning awards at global festivals and behind these successes is a growing ecosystem of support, collaboration and vision.

CANEX is helping Africa move from being a consumer of global culture to a producer; one whose stories resonate with audiences worldwide.

In a time when representation matters more than ever, CANEX is giving Africa the tools to speak for itself. It’s creating space for voices that have been marginalised, stories that have been overlooked and talents that have been underfunded. In doing so, it’s not just changing how the world sees Africa, it’s changing how Africa sees itself. Through CANEX, the continent is reclaiming its narrative, celebrating its diversity and building a creative legacy that will inspire generations to come.

The African story is not a single tale; it’s a symphony of voices, rhythms, colours and traditions. Thanks to CANEX, that symphony is being heard around the world.

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