Africa Creative Market 2026 concluded a landmark six-day gathering in Lusaka, Zambia, bringing together thousands of creatives, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders from across Africa to accelerate the growth of the continent’s creative economy. The event reinforced Africa Creative Market’s position as one of the continent’s leading platforms for fostering innovation, strategic partnerships, investment and cross-border collaboration across the creative and cultural industries.
Held from 29 June to 4 July 2026, Africa Creative Market (ACM) 2026 was delivered in collaboration with the Creative Industries Business Summit Zambia (CIBSZ) and the Kwimbo National Arts Festival. Delegates from Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal and several other African countries gathered to explore new opportunities for sustainable growth within Africa’s creative industries.
Africa Creative Market Brings Together Africa’s Creative Industry Leaders
The six-day event united government officials, policymakers, development partners, investors, entrepreneurs, creatives and business leaders on one of Africa’s most comprehensive platforms dedicated to advancing the creative and cultural economy.
Throughout the week, delegates participated in specialised summits, business forums, conferences, exhibitions, film screenings, networking sessions, awards ceremonies and cultural showcases. Every programme was designed around a shared objective: unlocking the economic potential of Africa’s creative industries through stronger institutions, innovation, strategic investment and regional collaboration.
Leadership Highlights the Future of Africa’s Creative Economy
Opening the event, the founder of Africa Creative Market, Dr Inya Lawal, described Zambia as the ideal host for this year’s edition, citing the country’s growing commitment to developing its creative economy.
“People often ask me why we chose Zambia. My answer has always been simple: because Zambia is ready,” she said.
Representing the Government of Zambia, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, emphasised the need to create systems that enable creative talent to succeed.
“Talent alone is not enough. We must build the structures that allow talent to thrive,” he said.
These remarks established the central message of Africa Creative Market 2026: while Africa possesses exceptional creative talent, long-term success depends on stronger institutions, supportive policies, increased investment and deeper continental collaboration.
Investment and Business Growth Take Centre Stage
Investment remained one of the strongest themes throughout the Africa Creative Market 2026.
During the Creative Capital Forum, policymakers, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders explored practical solutions for financing creative businesses and strengthening Africa’s creative economy. Discussions focused on expanding access to capital, supporting entrepreneurship, embracing technology and creating long-term business support systems capable of transforming creative ventures into globally competitive enterprises.
Strengthening Legal Frameworks for Creative Industries
The Global Creative Legal Summit examined the legal infrastructure needed to support Africa’s rapidly expanding creative sector.
Legal practitioners, policymakers and industry stakeholders discussed intellectual property protection, collective rights management, artificial intelligence, cross-border licensing and opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The summit also marked the unveiling of two major initiatives:
- African Creative Economy Lawyer (ACEL)
- Entertainment & Creative Law Hub (ECLH)
Both initiatives aim to strengthen legal support and regulatory frameworks for Africa’s creative industries.
Innovation and Technology Shape the Next Generation of Creatives
Innovation remained a defining pillar of Africa Creative Market 2026.
The Creative Technology Summit explored how animation, immersive technologies, artificial intelligence and digital innovation are transforming storytelling while expanding opportunities for African creators in the global digital economy.
The conversation continued during The YouTube Economy: A Creator’s Roadmap to Revenue, where creators and digital entrepreneurs discussed audience growth, monetisation strategies and building sustainable content businesses.
Meanwhile, the Digital Creator Africa Summit challenged creators to move beyond viral success by building intellectual property, strategic partnerships, technology-driven businesses and diversified revenue streams.
Film, Fashion, Arts and Culture Showcase Africa’s Creative Excellence
Across film, fashion, theatre, music, photography and visual arts, participants highlighted Africa’s cultural wealth as both a creative asset and an economic opportunity.
The Art. Craft. Commerce Summit explored how African visual arts can preserve cultural heritage while embracing innovation and ethical creative practice.
The Business of Photography Summit examined branding, storytelling, commercial growth and intellectual property.
Meanwhile, the Women in Film & TV Africa Conference, Actor Spaces Summit, Theatre & Dance Session, Kingdom Film Festival and Distribution Summit brought together filmmakers, producers, performers and executives to discuss financing, leadership, audience development and the future of African storytelling.
One of the defining moments of the week was the Zambian premiere of the feature film 77, which attracted acclaimed actors, filmmakers, government officials, media professionals and cinema enthusiasts. The screening reflected the growing momentum behind cross-border collaboration in Africa’s film industry.
Fashion also featured prominently through the FashionEVO Summit and the FashionEVO Fashion Show & Awards, where designers, manufacturers, investors, policymakers and fashion entrepreneurs explored sustainable production, manufacturing, exports, innovation and investment while showcasing the creativity and commercial potential of African fashion.
Celebrating Creative Excellence and Wellbeing
Africa Creative Market 2026 also recognised outstanding achievements across the creative industries through the National Association of Media Arts (NAMA) Awards and Gala, as well as the Women in Film & TV Africa Gala & Awards.
Recognising that thriving industries require healthy creatives, the event also hosted The Activated Creative, which focused on burnout prevention, mental wellbeing, resilience and building sustainable creative careers.
Kwimbo National Arts Festival Brings Creativity to the Public
Beyond the conference venues, the Kwimbo National Arts Festival transformed Lusaka into a vibrant celebration of African culture.
Families, visitors, artists, artisans and entrepreneurs experienced music, dance, fashion, exhibitions and cultural performances that celebrated Zambia’s heritage while increasing public engagement with Africa’s creative economy.
Emerging Music Talent Takes the Spotlight
Africa Creative Market 2026 concluded with the ACM Next Level Music Showcase, where ten emerging artists competed before industry professionals for career-changing opportunities.
Philip Mweemba emerged as the overall winner, receiving a cash prize alongside international music distribution and publishing support.
Strategic Partnerships Strengthen Africa’s Creative Economy
Beyond its conferences and showcases, Africa Creative Market 2026 strengthened collaboration among programme partners, exhibitors, supporting organisations, media houses and strategic stakeholders committed to advancing Africa’s creative industries.
These partnerships expanded opportunities for investment, market access, institutional cooperation and knowledge exchange across multiple sectors of the continent’s creative economy.
Africa Creative Market Continues to Shape the Future of Africa’s Creative Industries
As the Lusaka edition came to a close, organisers described Africa Creative Market as more than an annual event. It has evolved into a continental platform where policy meets enterprise, culture intersects with commerce and strategic partnerships become long-term drivers of economic growth.
The conversations initiated, partnerships strengthened and collaborations forged throughout the week reflect the rapid evolution of Africa’s creative economy. Increasingly, the continent is being recognised not only for its cultural richness but also for its innovation, entrepreneurship and growing investment opportunities.
With renewed momentum, stronger regional networks and a shared commitment to unlocking the full value of Africa’s creative industries, Africa Creative Market 2026 leaves Lusaka not simply as the conclusion of another successful edition, but as a significant milestone in building a more connected, competitive and globally influential African creative economy.
