Nigeria is set to host the next Intra‑African Trade Fair in 2027, with the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) weekend scheduled for 5‑8 November 2026 in Lagos, according to [African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)](https://www.afreximbank.com). The bank’s executive vice‑president for intra‑African trade, Kanayo Awani, told the Nigerian Tribune that the twin events are designed to convert the continent’s abundant creative talent into sustainable enterprises through targeted investment, stronger intellectual‑property safeguards and direct market access.
Key facts:
- Lagos won the hosting rights after a competitive bid submitted by the Ministry of Trade and Investments, in partnership with the [African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)](https://www.afcfta.org) Secretariat and the African Union Commission.
- The CANEX programme will showcase seven creative sectors – music, fashion, film, arts and crafts, sports, literature and gastronomy – and will feature deal rooms, masterclasses, B2B platforms and a ministerial forum.
- Afreximbank is also rolling out the Pan‑African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the Africa Trade Gateway to lower cross‑border transaction costs and streamline logistics.
- Past host countries include Egypt and South Africa’s Durban, each preceding the trade fair with a CANEX weekend.
- The events align with the 50th anniversary of FESTAC ’77, underscoring Nigeria’s cultural legacy.
**Why was Lagos chosen to host the fair?**
The selection was not unilateral. Hosting rights are opened continent‑wide through a transparent bidding process overseen by the AfCFTA Secretariat and the African Union Commission. Nigeria’s bid, coordinated by the Ministry of Trade and Investments, was deemed the strongest, securing the right to stage the 2027 fair and the 2026 CANEX weekend.
**What objectives does CANEX pursue?**
CANEX seeks to move beyond rhetoric about Africa’s youthful population and abundant talent. Its goal is to monetize creativity by equipping creators with business skills, financing options, market exposure and robust intellectual‑property frameworks. The programme includes equity‑ and debt‑focused deal rooms, industry‑led masterclasses, and B2B matchmaking platforms, some of which receive sponsorship from Afreximbank.
**How are logistics and traffic concerns being managed in Lagos?**
Authorities at the federal and state levels are implementing movement‑management plans to mitigate congestion. Afreximbank points to successful large‑scale events previously held in Lagos, such as the Formula E race at the Lagoon, as evidence of the city’s capacity to host complex gatherings.
**What broader steps are being taken to boost intra‑African trade?**
Intra‑African trade remains modest, but the AfCFTA and sustained political will are generating momentum. Afreximbank supports industrialisation through partnerships like Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, which operate five industrial parks and plan 13 more, including sites in Ogun State and a green zone in Kaduna. These parks aim to reduce infrastructure bottlenecks by offering plug‑and‑play facilities.
The bank also launched the Pan‑African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to cut cross‑border payment costs and enable transactions in local currencies, and created a subsidiary, the Africa Trade and Distribution Company, to address logistics and last‑mile delivery challenges. An Adjustment Fund, co‑created with the AfCFTA Secretariat, helps countries manage tariff liberalisation.
**What digital tools facilitate trade across Africa?**
The Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) aggregates five digital platforms: the customer‑due‑diligence tool Mansa, PAPSS for local‑currency payments, the Tradar Club network for international businesses, the e‑commerce portal Africa Trade Exchange, and ATG Connect for freight and logistics solutions. Launched with the AfCFTA Secretariat, ATG offers a single‑window system to streamline transactions, accelerate market access and support the continent’s digital economy.