In an effort to enhance trade, talent, and cultural ties across Africa, public and private sector representatives convened in Lagos on February 3, 2026, to discuss the inaugural edition of the Africa Connected Through Trade, Talent & Culture Festival (ACFTA Fest).
ACFTA Fest is envisioned as a significant three-day Pan-African celebration, bringing together the continent’s diverse cultures, innovative thinkers, and sports icons in Abuja, Nigeria. The festival is based on the principle of unifying Africa through economic collaboration, creativity, and athletic achievements, fostering an environment for networking, partnership, and exhibition of African excellence.
Set to take place from March 26 to 28, 2026, in Abuja, the festival plans to empower 1.5 million youths in fields such as entrepreneurship, arts, and sports while generating trade deals exceeding $5 billion across the continent. At the press conference in Lagos, Mandi Anyangwe, the Project Lead of ACFTA Fest, emphasized the initiative's focus on bolstering intra-African trade and presenting Africa as an integrated market.
Mandi also highlighted that the festival aims to enhance awareness of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area among grassroots communities to ensure broader involvement. The initiative is particularly centered on engaging young people and creatives as vital agents of economic progress and evolution in Africa.
Notable attendees included football icon Eyong Enoh, who described the festival as a crucial platform to eliminate barriers and promote unity throughout the continent. He stressed the importance of inclusive innovation and united efforts to effect genuine change.
Desmond Elliot, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, praised the festival for its role in promoting African heritage, asserting that Africans are best equipped to narrate their own stories and safeguard their culture. He further advocated for collaborative efforts to establish a conducive environment for the festival's success.
The ACFTA Fest in 2026 will highlight local businesses, arts, trade opportunities, and cultural initiatives, creating platforms that connect entrepreneurs with investors, as well as featuring cultural exhibits, performances, and tributes to African soccer legends.
For further information, visit www.acftafest.com to discover various ways to engage with this vibrant continental celebration and secure attendance via a selection of tickets that provide access to concerts, exhibitions, workshops, networking opportunities, and more during this extensive three-day celebration of African ingenuity.
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