CANEX ignites creative momentum at IATF 2025

The initiative, spearheaded by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), aims to elevate the continent’s cultural industries by connecting creatives with investors, buyers, and policy makers. With a dynamic blend of exhibitions, performances, and business forums, CANEX is positioning itself as the continent’s premier platform for creative enterprise.

CANEX at IATF 2025 is drawing thousands of participants from across Africa and the diaspora. The event spans multiple sectors, including music, film, fashion, literature, visual arts, and gastronomy, offering creatives a rare opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience. Organizers have emphasized the importance of business-to-business and business-to-government engagement, with tailored networking sessions designed to foster long-term partnerships.

In an address, AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene emphasized that the real success of IATF and platforms like CANEX lies not just in trade volumes, but in the tangible impact on jobs, empowered SMEs, and unlocked markets. He noted that Africa is “in charge of its own destiny,” and that the AfCFTA is the vehicle through which the continent will achieve inclusive growth and industrial transformation.

He also highlighted the strategic shift in Africa’s trade dynamics, pointing to a 12.4% increase in intra-African trade from 2023 to 2024, reaching $220.3 billion. This growth, he said, reflects a move away from raw commodity exports toward more industrial and value-added goods such as electronics, chemicals, and processed foods.

Algeria’s role as host has been particularly symbolic. The country is using CANEX to spotlight its rich artistic heritage while promoting cultural diplomacy across borders. From traditional Algerian fashion fused with contemporary design to immersive music showcases, the event reflects a broader ambition: to make Africa’s creative industries central to its economic transformation. The inclusion of initiatives like Alger Fashion Week and the Jazair Awards underscores this commitment to cultural excellence.

Beyond the exhibitions, CANEX is also a space for learning and growth. Workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions are being held throughout the week, tackling topics such as intellectual property rights, digital monetization, and creative financing. These sessions are designed to empower emerging talents and equip them with the tools needed to thrive in competitive global markets.

Strategic partners such as the Music in Africa Foundation, Nigerian International Film Summit, and HEVA Fund are lending their expertise to ensure the event delivers lasting impact. Their involvement reflects a growing consensus that Africa’s creative sector is not just a cultural asset but a viable economic engine.

With nearly 10 million followers, digital media powerhouse BellaNaija is also amplifying the event’s reach, bridging the gap between local creatives and international audiences.

As CANEX unfolds in Algiers, it’s clear that the initiative is more than a showcase—it’s a movement. By creating a space where creativity meets commerce, CANEX is redefining how Africa trades, collaborates, and tells its stories.

With its sights set on long-term growth and global influence, the platform is poised to become a cornerstone of Africa’s cultural and economic future.

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