Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 26 November 2022 - The Ivorian Prime Minster, Mr. Patrick Achi, opened, in Abidjan, on Friday, 25 November 2022, the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND), focusing on cultural and creative industries from Africa and the Diaspora.

Organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, CANEX WKND brings together, until 27 November, about 3 000 cultural and creative talent, as well as investors, industry leaders, government representatives, and the media from Africa and the Diaspora, at the Palais des Congrès of Hôtel Ivoire.

In his opening speech, Prime Minister Achi stated that, through its numerous meetings, including panel discussions, round tables and masterclasses, CANEX WKND will enable young cultural entrepreneurs from the Continent and the Diaspora to better structure their projects, meet a multitude of partners, and convince potential investors. He added that it was an entire ecosystem that needs to be created, structured, expanded and showcased, in order for a creative, bold and winning "Team Africa" to gradually emerge.

In the same vein, Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, welcomed the phenomenal gains made by African cultural and creative industries, while underscoring that they represent a huge economic potential.

"Even with little policy and financing support, the African culture and creative industry has become the fastest growing industry worldwide and is steadily becoming the largest employer of the continent's vast young talents," said Professor Oramah. "A facilitative environment that harnesses and empowers Africa's young creative talents, creates institutional capacities, protects intellectual property rights and improves access to finance, will help transform the industry into an immense continental commercial enterprise with the ability to rule the world. CANEX offers us the platform towards achieving that goal", the President of Afreximbank added.

CANEX WKND is one of the major components for implementation by Afreximbank of its CANEX Programme, a multidimensional initiative aimed at supporting and developing African cultural and creative industries.

"CANEX brings together multi-talented creative entrepreneurs with the aim to shine a light on their potential, gain continental and global support for the industry, create new inter-regional networks, and attract African and global capital, as well as policy support for the industry. The CANEX platform offers booster engines to an aeroplane that is already in flight", stressed Professor Oramah, in an enthusiastic and inspiring speech. "Through CANEX, Afreximbank provides access to finance, capacity building, digital solutions, linkages, partnerships, investment, markets, and policy advocacy."

The official CANEX WKND opening ceremony, which began with welcoming remarks by Mr. Jean-Marc Yace, Mayor of Cocody, was held in the presence of Mrs. Baleka Mbete, former Vice President of South Africa; Mrs Françoise Remarck, Ivorian Minster for Culture and Francophonie; M. Babalola Jean-Michel H. ABIMBOLA, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Benin; Mr. Jean-Louis Ekra, former President of Afreximbank; and Mrs Kanayo Awani, Afreximbank Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank.

After a first day full of meetings, roundtables, masterclasses and panel discussions, CANEX WKND continues this Saturday and Sunday, with a programme including, apart from the conference component, a fashion, art and crafts exhibition on the esplanade of the Palais des Congrès at Hôtel Ivoire, performances, many more masterclasses, a fashion show, and a mega closing concert, featuring:

  • Josey (Côte d'Ivoire)
  • Suspect 95 (Cote d'Ivoire)
  • Didi B (Côte d'Ivoire)
  • Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
  • Nandy (Tanzania)
  • Nadia Nakai (South Africa)
  • DJ Mohgreen (Morocco/France)
  • Julian Marley (USA)

To participate in the new CANEX journey, visit www.canex.africa.

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AFREXIMBANK - African Export-Import Bank published this content on 28 November 2022 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 28 November 2022 13:14:01 UTC.